The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ulrich Speck . What 's at stake in Ukraine is not just Ukraine 's future , but the world order , Ulrich Speck says . He says Moscow has never accepted Ukraine 's sovereignty and considers it in its sphere . Russia 's broader plan is to create a ` ` Soviet - lite '' with Ukraine the capital , he says . Speck says the Ukraine must now decide whether to accept Russia 's rules .
What 's at stake in Ukraine is not just Ukraine 's future , but the world order , Ulrich Speck says . He says Moscow has never accepted Ukraine 's sovereignty and considers it in its sphere . Russia 's broader plan is to create a ` ` Soviet - lite '' with Ukraine the capital , he says . Speck says the Ukraine must now decide whether to accept Russia 's rules .