Russia could have expelled Taran in retaliation for Ukraine’s active steps to sign on to NATO’s membership accession plan, MAP. “Russia recognizes that, as an independent country, Ukraine may have its own foreign policy priorities. On the other hand, Russia sends a clear signal that if Ukraine opts for MAP, there won’t be any friendship lost between Ukraine and Russia,” Pohrebynsky concludes.

Meanwhile, another renowned Ukrainian political expert Viktor Nebozhenko does not link S. Taran’s expulsion with politics. ”Mr Taran is exaggerating his role when he points to political reasons for Russia’s denial to allow him entry,” he says.

Speaking to ZIK Feb. 4, Nebozhenko said that Serhy Taran is not Petro Poroshenko [a heavyweight Ukrainian politico recently denied entry in Russia – Ed.], and there can be no political motives for his expulsion. All the more so that Taran has never been a vocal critic of Russia.

At the same time, Nebozhenko could not name the reasons for Taran’s expulsion.

Like his colleague Pohrebynsky, Viktor Nebozhenko believes Russia and Ukraine will continue to blacklist unwelcome politicians