The Guns of Donetsk Have Gone Quiet

Since Dec. 9, when Ukrainian forces and pro-Russia separatists renewed efforts to enforce the cease-fire began, violence has declined notably along the contact line in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. The withdrawal of some heavy equipment from the front line, as well as the general restraint exercised by both sides, has created a more stable environment for political negotiations to continue. Ukrainian forces and separatist forces backed by Russian troops maintain their positions along the contact line, but reciprocating fire between them has become the exception rather than the norm. The cease-fire likely will hold in order to facilitate political negotiations, but challenges remain for the resumption of the Minsk talks and de-escalation in Donbas.