Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict Studies, Security, grade: -, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, language: English, abstract: This paper reviews multiple views of the origins of the current crisis in Ukraine and it argues that Realpolitik still matters to some countries. For this, several reasons will be given. One has to understand not only the history of Ukraine, in order to understand the crisis, but also what interest western countries and Russia have in Ukraine. Furthermore, it is crucial to know what interest the Ukrainian government and its population have in the EU, NATO or in Russia.Analyzing the relationship between western countries and Russia after the Cold War will help to comprehensively understand Russia´s view of the conflict as well as the competing views of the EU and NATO. Ukraine is heavily affected by the actions of those states and organizations, but it is an active state which could immensely contribute to a solution.Hence, this paper will analyze how Ukraine itself can contribute to end the crisis. Furthermore, this paper analyses why finger-pointing is not helpful to find a solution. Finally, the paper offers solutions and to the crisis which have been analyzed among other alternatives. Throughout the paper, there will be arguments in favor and against the statement that Realpolitik still matters and has to be considered in order to prevent a new Cold War.