THE plot thickens. The pro-NATO forces in Ukraine are not having it their own way. A counter-offensive is on. Armed pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine have turned down Kiev’s amnesty for those who seized government buildings in Ludansk and asked others to defy the pro-European government. The protestors said they would lay down their arms only if a referendum was held in their region. It was recently done in Crimea which went in favour of Russia. The protestors are demanding federalization to assert the people’s will. Kiev says that the pro-Russian occupations are part of a Russian-led move to dismember Ukraine. Tensions are mounting in the Russian speaking east. It is a sequel to the Russian annexation of Crimea and the consequent standoff between Russia and the West.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has in fact blamed Russian agents and its special forces for stirring up trouble in Eastern Ukraine. Understandably Russia has refuted the US allegation. The Ukrainian interior ministry has threatened armed action to disperse the protestors if they did not agree to a compromise. Acting President Oleksandr Turchynev has taken a softer line, however. But the protestors have refused to accept an amnesty without a referendum. A referendum would probably mean a part of Ukraine would support integration with Russia. It falls in line with Vladimir Putin’s dream of a greater Russia including even Finland. Stalin’s thesis on the nationalities issue in the Soviet Republics appears to be reasserting itself. All this will without doubt intensify the cold war tension between Russia and the US backed by its western allies.
