Ukraine crisis affects everything Russian

The crisis in Ukraine seems to be getting bloodier as each day goes by. The invasion of Russian military into southeastern Ukrainian territory has left the whole world in a tizzy. This is no longer only a problem between Russia and Ukraine, but has become a global problem. The United States jumped in by imposing sanctions over Russia. The European Union seems to be silent but only gives testimony to what the United States think about the situation. The United Kingdom seems to be silent. The United Nations carries out meetings and discusses the situation in Ukraine. While people like you are me who don't want war or a war-like-situation, are expressing our thoughts on Twitter and other social media sites. It feels horrible when you can’t do anything to be able to combat a situation. But at least writing what you think on social media eases out that tense nerve a little, with a hope that someone out there who can make a difference is reading what we have to say.

In the midst of all the hullabaloo, one of Russia's public relations firm in the United States is facing the heat. The PR firm Ketchum Inc. is said to be lobbying for the Russian government to promote Russia in the United States. Reportedly the Russian government is said to spend millions in building the image of Russia in the west. To achieve this goal the Russian government and state-owned companies have even partnered with Western public relation firms.  (Kupchinsky, R. 2009).

Although the PR firm is dragged into the Ukraine controversy, the company seems to have distanced itself from anything that can tarnish its image. Responding to scrutiny, official from the PR firm said in a statement: "We are not advising the Russian Federation on foreign policy, including the current situation in Ukraine" (Sullivan, A. 2014).

Ketchum Inc. continues to stress its objective to support economic development and investments in the country and to facilitate relationship between representatives of the Russian federation and western media. But will the PR firm be able to survive after the Ukraine crisis. The US-Russia relationship has always been a shaky boat and using PR firms like these, Russia is trying really hard to make this relationship steady. Post Ukraine, will Russia’s PR machinery in the U.S. still be able to do their job and rebuild trust. That’s something we’ll have to wait to see.

Reference list

Kupchinsky, R. (2009). Russia's Hired Lobbies in the West. The Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved from website

Sullivan, A. (2014). Russia's U.S. PR firm distances itself from Ukraine dispute. Reuters. Retrieved from website