As I've said in previous commentaries, Putin will test President Trump, as evidenced by the latest uptick in fighting since the inauguration and following the January 27 phone call between Washington
and Moscow, and Mr. Trump will need to call Putin's bluff with action
(not dialogue or "deal-making") or risk the global order of peace by
appeasing Putin with Russia gaining a sphere of influence over the
entire (non-NATO) former Soviet space.
Europe
is also called to action and the EU's future hangs in the balance as
well (threatened by Brexit and the rise of nationalism financed and
fueled by the Kremlin), if nine million (or more) refugees from Ukraine
flood Europe because of Russia's aggressive actions and (due to lack of
will or leadership) the West's failure to use effective deterrence
measures.
Economic measures against Russia
have been effective to a point, but Putin clearly does not respect them
(but would prefer to be rid of them), as evidenced by the latest
military escalation in Ukraine. The measures should name Putin as well,
for a start.
Nearly 17,000 people of Adiyivka
are being prepared for evacuation, as many do not have electricity, heat
or water, as the temps dip near -20 C (-4 F).
There are a slew
of statements by Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian
organizations, as well as analytical pieces, condemning the latest
attacks, and, at least in the U.S., calling on President Trump not to
underestimate Putin and to avoid appeasing the Russian president.
Early
reports from groups like Informnapalm.org (and others) have indicated
that the Russian-backed fighters had suffered heavier losses (estimated
at near 60 KIA) than the Ukrainian side (8 KIA, 25 WIA) during the
fighting over January 28-29. Data on losses can only be confirmed on the Ukrainian side, as Russia (which leads the DPR/LPR fighters) tends to
conceal its war dead and continues to bury them in secret (in Russia).
Matthew Dubas is editor of
the nationally-distributed publication The Ukrainian Weekly. The
newspaper is also distributed throughout Canada and serves as a major source of
news and information for the Ukrainian community in America and abroad. He has
reported on many of the country’s political and social conflicts and worked
with ambassadors, politicians, policy advisers, activists and scholars on a
range of issues concerning Ukraine. The views expressed by Mr. Dubas do not
necessarily reflect those of the publication's management or editorial
staff.
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