WASHINGTON, DC - Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer says Vladimir Putin is not helping defuse the crisis around Iran - and any move by Washington to ease pressure on Moscow would only strengthen Russia at Ukraine’s expense. In an interview with Kyiv Post , Pifer said the Kremlin stands to gain from the regional conflict through higher oil prices and the diversion of US military resources away from Ukraine. At the same time, he said, there is no sign Moscow has softened its position on