Ukraine Ends Cease-Fire Amid Domestic Pressure

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko appears to have succumbed to the pressure of his own constituency, not the international community: He has abandoned diplomacy and resumed operations against eastern separatists. After several days of diplomatic efforts led by France and Germany, the president ended the 10-day cease-fire July 1 and forestalled its extension. A few hours later, the Ukrainian military reactivated troops in the east and launched airstrikes against rebel strongholds. Fighting has been reported near the cities of Slovyansk, Kramatorsk and Donetsk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin predictably criticized Poroshenko's move to resume security operations. He accused the West of trying to contain Russia by provoking Ukraine and pledged to protect ethnic Russians abroad. But Poroshenko's decision may be less brazen than Putin would admit, considering that the separatists mostly ignored the cease-fire to begin with. Still, Kiev will be unable to subdue the rebels so long as Russia continues to patronize eastern Ukrainian militants.