http://www.ibtimes.com/cash-strappe...an-separatist-regions-donetsk-luhansk-1745350 It appears a deal is being worked out where Russia will NOT annex Donetsk/Lugansk, and won't even support them financially. Rather, they will seek a settlement where they have autonomy within Ukraine, perhaps similar to what Crimea used to have. Why is he doing this? Russia simply cannot afford to take on Lugansk/Donetsk. Russia needs the sanctions to end, they need the price of oil to stop dropping, they need to stop heading towards the cliff. Prediction: Lugansk & Donetsk will stay part of Ukraine, as special autonomous zones.
