Top of the Agenda
Confusion Over Ukraine Cease-fire Agreement
Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko announced Wednesday that he had reached an agreed with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on a cease-fire (Reuters)
in the country's conflict with pro-Russian rebels, but Moscow denied
the truce deal, saying the two leaders only discussed steps toward
peace. Meanwhile, U.S. president Barack Obama arrived in Estonia (DW)
ahead of the NATO summit in Wales to reassure Baltic leaders, pledging
to bolster U.S. air force presence in Baltic states. The International
Monetary Fund warned that Ukraine could require as much as $19 billion
in international financing (FT) if the war continues through 2015.
Analysis
"The priority for policymakers in Washington will be to cling to as much of the substance of Western liberal order as possible, while carefully managing its rising frictions and differences with Russia and China," writes CFR's Stewart Patrick.
"After a summer of rapidly deteriorating crises around the world, the Wales summit is Mr Obama's chance to end the sense of drift—and strategic confusion–which has gripped his presidency. He must seize the moment," writes the Financial Times.
"NATO's European members should show their serious intent in another way, too.
Fiscal austerity and a false sense of security have resulted in years
of defence-budget cuts, whereas Russia has doubled its military spending
(in nominal terms) since 2007," writes the Economist.
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