The Ukraine Crisis Continues

Steven Erlanger, New York Times: No One Sees Easy Way Out on Ukraine

BRUSSELS — Hardly anyone expects Ukraine to get better before it gets worse, or for the latest set of commitments in last month’s cease-fire agreement to be kept.

Instead, senior Western diplomats and analysts are predicting a further escalation of tensions, including the placing of Russian nuclear weapons in newly annexed Crimea; more unrest in cities like Mariupol and even Odessa; more advances by Russian-supported rebels against an under-gunned and dispirited Ukrainian Army; and attempts to destabilize the Western-leaning government in Kiev, beginning with President Petro O. Poroshenko.

Mr. Poroshenko, weakened by the loss of Crimea and a large, contiguous chunk of eastern Ukraine, faces Western demands for economic overhauls, increased energy prices and a crackdown on corruption to justify billions in loans and aid. He also confronts new challenges from oligarchs like Igor V. Kolomoisky over control of energy companies and private militias with flexible loyalties to the state, or what’s left of it.

The Crisis In Ukraine Continues

Heavy battles erupt in village of Pisky outside Donetsk -- Ukraine Today
East Ukraine militia report Kiev’s heavy weapons within 30-kilometer buffer zone -- ITAR-TASS
Moscow could reignite Ukraine fighting -- AFP
NATO secretary general: Ukraine cease-fire fragile but ‘largely holding’ -- Washington Post
US Senator Supports Arms Shipments to Ukraine -- VOA
Russia accuses Ukraine of causing starvation in eastern Ukraine war zone -- Press TV
Ukraine's whole banking system is falling apart -- Business Insider
Exclusive: West holds off on Ukraine aid pledges, seeking reforms -- Reuters
The Clock is Ticking for Ukraine Reforms – European MP -- Sputnik
Poll finds Ukrainian audiences in Odesa and Kharkiv give most credence to Russian media -- Ukraine Today
Ukraine’s future: President v oligarch. Building a nation means putting plutocrats in their place -- The Economist