As the West has reacted with alarm to Russia's approval of military action in Ukraine, tensions might further escalate.

Based on the fact that Russia and Ukraine have deep cultural, historical and economic connections, it is time for Western powers to abandon their Cold War thinking, stop trying to exclude Russia from the political crisis they have failed to mediate, and respect Russia's unique role in mapping out the future of Ukraine, says a Xinhua commentary.

Protests in Ukraine started on Nov 21, 2013, with peaceful demonstrations demanding the country's European integration, but soon snowballed into a violent movement against the authorities.