Ukraine has become the object of high-stakes diplomacy. This does not mean that fighting has stopped—quite the opposite. Russian forces continue to launch probes and violate the cease-fire agreement; they have substantially reinforced themselves, as have the Ukrainian forces arrayed against them. Nevertheless, a major diplomatic campaign is occurring.Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken complete political control of the separatist forces by sending veteran troubleshooter Dmitri Kozak to take over Russia’s relations with the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) and the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR). He also sent another confidante, Boris Gryzlov, former chairman of the Duma, to negotiate with …read more
Source: Atlantic Council
