Ukraine points towards the start of a tumultuous new era in world politics

Guardian UK ^ | 14 February 2015 | Dmitri Trenin

[Lorianne]

After the ceasefire negotiated in Minsk, a peace settlement in eastern Ukraine remains distant. Most of the points in the agreement, including Ukraine’s constitutional reform and the resumption of Kiev’s control over the entire Ukrainian-Russian border, will probably never be implemented. The most one can hope for is that the conflict is frozen and people stop dying. Even that, however, cannot be taken for granted, as continued fighting ahead of the ceasefire’s formal entry into force suggests.

The idea that a combination of western sanctions and the low oil price can bring a change in Kremlin policies, or a change in the Kremlin itself, has so far not been borne out by the facts. Putin remains defiant, the elites do not turn against him, and his popularity among the bulk of the Russian people, despite the hardships they have begun to feel, is at record levels. These people are not ignorant of the dangers a continued conflict over Ukraine can pose to them, but lay the blame for these on Kiev, Washington and the European leaders. Putin, whether as war leader or a peacemaker, is their champion.

[Paladin2]

Can’t Bammy just go over there and wave his Pieces Prize around to fix things?

[VanDeKoik]

Limbaugh said many times that the best ways to take down our opponents is to export liberalism.

Part of me wonders if the world would be better off if western-style sissified liberals took Russia over.

How that would happen is beyond me.

[tcrlaf]

A Weak American President, leading a Rudderless America has invited adventurism, and an attempt to reset the world order.

Remember how the US Media just laughed and ridiculed Romney for saying that? TWICE???

The lesson here is that elections really do have consequences.

[McGruff]

A year ago Russia was hosting the Olympics and everything was calm. Then these riots in Ukraine, the overthrow of the Russian friendly government and look where we are now. On the brink of a new Cold War. What a difference a year makes.