Despite some recent reports that the second ceasefire in the war in Ukraine is “generally holding,” there is not much reason for hope. The Ukrainian military says that pro-Russian rebels has attacked 112 times since early Sunday morning. Kiev says that it won’t remove heavy weapons from the front line. And the most recent headline from CNN reads, “Ukraine Ceasefire Falters.” Most observers—including several residents and long-time observers that I know personally—evince little optimism about resolving the conflict in which 5,400 people have been killed since fighting erupted nearly a year ago last April.
The United States has sided decisively with Ukraine. “If Russia continues its aggressive actions in Ukraine, including by sending troops, weapons and financing to support the separatists, the costs for Russia will rise,” President Obama recently told President Vladimir Putin. The hawkish Ted Cruz wants to arm Ukraine with American weapons. Rep. Eliot Engel, a Democrat from New York and the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, recently said, “Putin has effectively destroyed democracy in Russia. We must let the Russian people know that we stand by them against this tyrant.”
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