MOSCOW – A surge in violence in east Ukraine is undermining international hopes that Russia’s financial crisis and Western sanctions will force President Vladimir Putin to change policy on the conflict.There is a growing sense of foreboding as fighting between Ukrainian government forces and separatists intensifies, complicating efforts to arrange summit talks involving Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany.Each side fears the other plans a new military offensive; Ukraine is mobilising new troops and Russia and the pro-Russian separatists have stepped up their rhetoric against Kiev’s pro-Western leaders.Even though the rouble’s decline, the fall of oil prices and the impact of …read more
Source: AsiaOne
