Amid Talks, Skirmishes Continue in Eastern Ukraine

While the recent cease-fire in eastern Ukraine has moved the conflict primarily into the diplomatic and economic spheres and prevented significant military movements, reports of fighting and artillery fire continue to emerge from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Continued operations by Russian-backed forces in separatist-controlled regions, combined with movements of Russian forces into Crimea, indicate that Moscow is keeping the option of military force on the table amid the ongoing negotiations.