2015-02-13nytimes.com

"The practical, realistic expectation is a frozen conflict with no effective control by Kiev over those areas, but no formal responsibility of Russia," said Fyodor Lukyanov, the editor of the journal Russia in Global Affairs.

Moscow said border control from Kiev should come only after other issues -- including a constitutional amendment to allow greater autonomy in the east and local elections -- had been settled, which the compact says should be by the end of the year. That seemed to Ukraine and its allies to be an open invitation to Russia to keep the border open, allowing soldiers and weapons to move across at will.

...

The agreement also said that the Ukrainian Parliament should define by law the territory of the areas to have self-rule and should pass an amnesty for the separatist leaders. Kiev should pay pensions and other social benefits that it cut off last year, the agreement said.



Comments: Be the first to add a comment

add a comment | go to forum thread