What Are Putin's Options On Ukraine?

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a meeting with Russian diplomats at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Moscow today. After Kiev renewed military operations against pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine, Mr. Putin said that Moscow would continue to defend the interests of ethnic Russians abroad. Maxim Zmeyev/Reuters

Has Putin Reached His Limit On His Willingness To Intervene In Ukraine? -- Fred Weir, CSM

Putin said that he would hold Poroshenko responsible for new bloodshed in the east, but he appears disinclined to become more involved in Ukraine's conflict.

Moscow — As eastern Ukraine descended into all-out war on Tuesday – including what Russian media describe as a "tank battle" near the village of Karlivka – following the lifting of a ten-day ceasefire, Vladimir Putin warned that he would hold Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko personally accountable for the consequences.

"Regrettably, President Poroshenko took a decision to resume combat operations, and we – I mean myself and my colleagues in Europe – have failed to persuade him that a path to lasting, sustainable peace cannot be through war. Until now, [Poroshenko] had nothing to do with orders to begin military actions, but now he has taken full responsibility upon himself – not only military but also political responsibility, which by far is more important," President Putin told a meeting of Russia's top diplomats in Moscow Tuesday.

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My Comment: This is one of the best analysis that I have read (in the past few weeks) on what options Putin will probably take on Ukraine. In short .... unless the situation becomes a complete disaster .... Moscow will be treading carefully.