The Ukraine Conflict

The Russian branch has broken with church leaders in Istanbul after the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was granted independence from the Moscow Patriarchate.

Four years on, the ground battle in eastern Ukraine is showing no signs of abating. And now, a new theater may be opening: the Sea of Azov.

The Russian president is reportedly proposing a referendum for the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. A former Ukrainian official has called the proposal a "negotiating trap."

Though the two leaders are unlikely to make any breakthroughs at the meeting, they will have an opportunity to discuss crucial and contentious issues such as the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, sanctions, military buildups, and arms control.

Beyond questions of whether Russia’s recent elections were fair or if opposition candidates were allowed the opportunity to campaign in earnest, the interesting question for Stratfor analysts is what comes next. We discuss in the latest Stratfor Podcast.

A series of events over the next few months could make it clear whether a deal over U.N. peacekeeper intervention will gain traction.

Recent statements suggest the two titans may be moving closer to an agreement to deploy a U.N. peacekeeping force to Ukraine.

Moscow views Washington's decision to arm Ukrainian forces as an act of escalation. But how will it respond?

While Washington is preparing additional penalties, Moscow is bracing its economy and reaching out to the Asia-Pacific and Middle East.