Lucian Kim at Reuters writes that:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has suffered another crushing defeat. Less than a week after negotiating the renewal of the so-called Minsk ceasefire agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his soldiers have come limping ab of Debaltseve, a road and rail hub in eastern Ukraine that pro-Russian rebels were besieging even as the talks dragged through the night. Not only does the fierce fighting cast doubt on the chance for a lasting truce, but it puts the Ukrainian president in an increasingly difficult position domestically … Crimea has been lost, the economy is cratering, and more than 5,000 people have been killed in a war with murky origins and little purpose.
Putin, meanwhile:
… couldn’t help but gloat …. “Of course losing is always bad, and it’s unfortunate for the losing side … But that’s life, and it will keep going. I don’t think it’s necessary to get too caught up by it.”
Enjoying himself and the moment:
… when asked about possible U.S. arms shipments to Ukraine, Putin said that according to his information, the United States is already delivering weapons — and there’s “nothing unusual” about it.
