Russia's War Against Ukraine
Alexander J. Motyl: Putin’s Russia as a state sponsor of terror in Ukraine
Armed men wearing military fatigues gather around Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) as they stand guard outside the regional state building seized by pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk on April 16, 2014. At least two Ukrainian military helicopters landed in an airfield near the flashpoint city of Slavyansk on April 15 with reinforcements for an ongoing push into the separatist-held city, witness told AFP. The helicopters landed in a military airfield in the town of Kramatorsk, about 15 kilometres (nine miles) south of Slavyansk, where pro-Kremlin militias have occupied government buildings since Saturday.
Putin’s Russia has become what the US Department of State calls a “state sponsor of terrorism.”
Here’s how: After the Anschluss of Crimea, Putin had three options. He could invade all or parts of Ukraine, or hope that pro-Russian demonstrators would flood Ukraine’s streets and assert their “people power.” The first option has not been pursued, perhaps because it’s too risky. The second failed, as the vast majority of Ukraine’s southeastern citizens have remained indifferent or opposed to unification with Russia.
That left Putin with one remaining option: terrorism.
