The Wire

The fragile east Ukranian ceasefire hammered out two months ago in Minsk, could disintegrate with the increase in fighting around Donetsk Airport. It is still desperately held by Ukrainian units but surrounded by Russian backed independence fighters. With new Russian hardware arriving, the brinksmanship notches up another level as Kiev’s resolve hardens. Moscow believes it cannot afford to allow Kiev victory in Donetsk and the EU may then be forced to respond to Russian moves. Germany’s leadership is crucial to the outcome.