Armed pro-Russian separatists of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic pledge an oath during ceremony in the city of Donetsk, June 21, 2014.
No Reply From Russia Or Rebels On Ukrainian-Proposed Peace Talks -- Voice of America
There has been no response from Russia or separatist leaders in Ukraine to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's request for a new round of talks on Saturday.
Poroshenko said he suggested a time and place for the talks during a phone call with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. He said he is waiting for the other side to confirm.
The EU and United States have threatened Russia with more sanctions if Moscow and the pro-Russian fighters in eastern Ukraine do not take steps to de-escalate the crisis.
The fighting has picked up since Ukraine ended a unilateral cease-fire earlier this week.
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My Comment: These are not peace talks .... these are talks to set the terms of surrender .... that is why the Russians and the rebels have not responded. With the fall of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk the Russians and the rebels are now focused on what to do next. My prediction is that Russia will intensify their "economic warfare" with Ukraine while continuing to provide necessary aid to the rebels, and the insurgency itself will continue via through guerrilla tactics and hit and run operations. The rebel stronghold of Donetsk is where the final battle may (or may not) happen. With it's million plus inhabitants .... any military operation will produce massive casualties and .... a different dynamic to the conflict. More to the point .... that is when Russia will (because of domestic pressure) push Putin to escalate the conflict into a totally different level.
2 comments:
This is a situation where if Putin doesn't screw it up he can't lose and the Ukrainian government can't ever really win.
Exactly James.
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