Landing in Kiev for the second time in four months, the first thing I noticed was that the weather has gotten decidedly colder. Ukraineβs frosty relationship with Russia reflects the dropping temperatures. The mood in Kiev was tense when I visited in September, but itβs much worse now.
The Ukrainian military and pro-Russian separatists recommitted themselves to a ceasefire in early December, but it seems as fragile and unlikely to last as the agreement that was reached in September. Since I was last in Ukraine, at least 140 people have died, bringing the conflictβs death toll to about 4,100. And there is every reason to believe that more Ukrainians will perish.
Russiaβs continued incursion into Eastern Ukraine has grown steadily in scope and significance, while the Westβs response has in no way kept pace. Russia has sent another βhumanitarian convoyβ across the border, and there are reports of Russian special forces fighting side by side with separatists.
Yet the West continues to prevaricate.
The conflict has all but slipped off the radar of Western media, as other matters, foreign and domestic, have taken precedence. But here in Kiev, the standoff with Russia is at the forefront of everyoneβs mind.
During my trip, I spoke with a broad spectrum of people, including top civil servants, former heads of state, industrialists, political activists, and ordinary citizens. While their emphases sometimes differ, all feel a deep sense of foreboding.
One leading industrialist
