By dangling the threat of renewed conflict, Mr. Putin gives the talks a new purpose: to coax him back from the brink. That August, as Russian-backed separatists lost ground in eastern Ukraine, Mr. Putin stationed troops along the border, warning they might be necessary to “protect” ethnic Russian civilians in Ukraine who he said were under attack. Mr. Putin has repeatedly hinted at this goal since his nation’s economy began collapsing in late 2014, due mostly to the declining value of its oil and gas exports. Whatever transpired over the weekend, Mr. Putin has unquestionably escalated in his language toward Ukraine, choosing to use this episode — however real it was — for some larger aim. What is Mr. Putin planning in Crimea?

Source: International New York Times August 12, 2016 00:11 UTC