“DIME” Analysis of the Conflict in Eastern Ukraine

Abstract

Following the Maidan Revolution in 2014, the competing interests of the main actors in Ukraine and globally stalled the process of conflict resolution. The geopolitical view of the situation prevented focusing on the regional challenges such as the humanitarian situation and were unlikely to facilitate positive developments in the peaceful settlement of the conflict. The Minsk Agreements were questioned by both sides, although they were the only existing framework for the settlement of the conflict. The United Nations efforts in conflict management were limited due to controversial views between the West and Russia. This paper uses DIME conflict analysis to examine the various actors involved in the conflict between Ukraine and the separatist movements in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine from 2014 to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. DIME is an acronym for Diplomacy, Information, Military, and Economic. The various parties and stakeholders involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine are listed and characterized under these four descriptors.