Russia and the Ukrainian election: miscalculation or neo-imperial impulse?

Russia suffered a dual defeat in its policy towards the presidential election in Ukraine: Moscow's attempt to install its preferred candidate as president in Kyiv failed, and its actions in Ukraine led to conflict with Russia's western partners, especially the EU. In view of the changes that have taken place in Russian foreign policy since 2000, this position seems irrational. The roots of this irrationality are to be found in misperceptions and in changes to decisionmaking processes under the "Putin system".