NEWSLINK: Ferocity of Ukraine clashes increases risks for Putin

File Photo of Vladimir Putin Sitting at Desk

[“Ferocity of Ukraine clashes increases risks for Putin” – Reuters – Timothy Heritage – May 27, 2014]

Reuters covers Ukraine’s efforts to use force to put down separatist militants in eastern Ukraine, and Russia’s potential reaction:

An army assault on pro-Russian rebels in east Ukraine will not have taken Vladimir Putin by surprise, but the ferocity of the clashes may have – and could be a game-changer if they spin out of control.

… with Western sanctions starting to bite, the Russian president has softened his tone … But Putin’s careful planning could quickly unravel … if a large number of civilians are killed in a single incident, putting public pressure on him to send in the army to protect Russian speakers.

Some commentators suggest that newly elected Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko wants to take a hard line against pro-Russian militants to bolster his legitimacy and build upon his electoral majority.

NATO reportedly has observed the bulk of Russian forces remaining close to the Ukrainian frontier, raising at least the prospect of Russian military intervention:

… NATO noted that despite signs that some Russian troops are withdrawing from Ukraine’s frontier, the bulk of the force remains close to the border.

As long as the troops are there, the threat of armed intervention by Russia will continue to hang over Ukraine, even if it is not Putin’s first choice of action.

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