From other articles, it sounded like the $17 billion IMF bailout was conditioned on retaking the rebel oblasts. The Kyiv government can’t afford to back off without renegotiating the bailout provisions and the US certainly has influence on the IMF.
Congratulations, you got it in one....
Without the wealth of Eastern Ukraine, there is no way that Kiev could ever pay back those loans.
And a LOT of people make a bunch of money booking the fees for those huge loans, and the political favoritism that money buys.
Agreed. I would also tell Russia that if they allow the territory accession to the Russian Federation. They just would have to pay what’s due just like the current government would have.
Kinda like , “You break it (up). You bought it.” and “It” ain’t cheap.