Since March, Putin has vowed to use military force to protect Russian-speaking “compatriots” across the former Soviet Union. He branded southern and eastern Ukraine “New Russia”, a name the rebels took up as catch-all for most militia groups.
Most people in eastern and southern Ukraine identify themselves as ethnic Ukrainians who speak Russian as a native language. Outside of the two provinces partly occupied by the armed separatist fighters, most have rallied behind Kiev, despite reservations about the government there.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday the threat of a direct intervention by Russia’s military in Ukraine has risen over the last couple of days.