A threat prevails of a significant escalation in Donbass, according to a Ukrainian political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko, who believes that the trend is stable, Glavred reports.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is using the conflict as a tool in the game with the West, he said during a public chat at Glavred.
"As long as the need and interest remains for him to negotiate with Western leaders, he will not go for a large-scale war," Fesenko said. “I would like to note another interesting factor: [UEFA] World Cup is to take place in Russia this summer.”
According to the political scientist, this sports forum is as important for the Russian leader as was the Winter Games in Sochi back in 2014.
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"It is also possible that Putin will wait to see the outcome of Ukraine elections in 2019. And I have no doubt that the Russian authorities will interfere in our election process in various ways," said the political analyst.
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