There is a disturbing sense of déjà vu about Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that the best way to bring an end to the fighting over the disputed provinces of eastern Ukraine is to grant them independent statehood. Six months ago, he advanced a similar argument over Crimea when pro-Russian separatists launched their campaign to seek independence from Kiev. On that occasion, the Kremlin’s intervention, backed by the deployment of well-armed Russian Spetsnaz special forces to the peninsula, had the desired effect, ultimately resulting in the region’s illegal annexation by Moscow.

David Fuller's view

I would no longer put large contingents of soldiers on the ground in the Middle East, where airpower and drones are more effective on open ground, but I think all of Europe should increase NATO forces while Putin and his allies rule Russia.  However, that would not be sufficient to stop Putin so I also hope we get significant increases in sanctions against Russia during the current NATO meeting.  Yes, they are expensive but probably cheap over the longer term if they deter Putin, as they should given that Russia’s economy is weak and isolated.