Putin on Ice

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Russia’s de facto recognition of the elections held by separatists in the Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Luhansk signals its intention to create a frozen conflict in the Donbas region's rebel-controlled areas. The question is why Russian President Vladimir Putin views such a conflict as a positive outcome for his country.

VIENNA – Global temperatures are rising, but the former Soviet Union’s frozen conflicts show no sign of a thaw. On the contrary, the ice is expanding.

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