Russia's War Against Ukraine
OP-ED
Paul Roderick Gregory: Putin comes out on top in new Minsk agreement
Pro-Russian rebels stationed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, Donetsk region, prepare to launch missiles from Grad launch vehicles toward a position of the Ukrainian forces in Debaltseve, about 35km east of Gorlivka, on February 13, 2015. Fighting raged in Ukraine today as the clock ticked down to a ceasefire that will be a first test of Kiev and pro-Russian separatists' committment to a freshly-inked peace plan. AFP PHOTO / ANDREY BORODULIN
Vladimir Putin was the winner of the Minsk II peace accords. Territory gained by the rebels in violation of Minsk I appears to be conceded; there is no deadline for the pulling out of Russian regular troops and mercenary forces; Kiev must pay the costs of occupied territory; and the self-appointed stooges of the Kremlin, who call themselves the leaders of the self-proclaimed “people's republics," have gained recognition and a say in constitutional change.
