Land for gas: Merkel and Putin discussing secret deal could end Ukraine crisis

`` if Ms Merkel's deal were to be acceptable to the Russians, the international community would need to recognise Crimea's independence and its annexation by Russia, a move that some members of the United Nations might find difficult to stomach... Russia [would] withdraw its financial and military support for the various pro-separatist groups operating in eastern Ukraine. As part of any such agreement, the region would be allowed some devolved powers.. insiders who are party to the discussions said yesterday that the "German peace plan is still on the table and the only deal around. Negotiations have stalled because of the MH17 disaster but they are expected to restart once the investigation has taken place." -- No wonder it was so "important" for this "disaster" to happen...