Victoria Nuland participated in the overthrow of a democratically elected government in Ukraine and hand picked leaders of a new government without regard for the country's various regions and ethnic groups, notably Russian-speaking citizens in the east and south.
U.S. sponsored regime change in Ukraine and the inevitability of such a government applying for NATO membership was a provocation to Russia. A military response was predictable in light of the war between Russia and Georgia in 2008.
If it is the will of the Ukrainian people to join the European Community, elections were the appropriate means to effect change. Ukraine was scheduled to hold a presidential election in 2015.
Instead, the world must pay for a reckless foreign policy poorly executed by the likes of Ms. Nuland.