WHAT is Putin doing...And can the Ukraine financially last long enough to find out?

The Ukrainian conflict began exactly one year ago today; politicians and political analysts are still undecided about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s end goal. Whatever his plan, Putin appears to being winning.

 Only a few days ago in Debaltseve, Ukraine, yet another cease-fire fell through between Ukrainian forces and the Russian-backed rebels, this time lasting only 40 minutes, according to the Wall Street Journal.

It is not clear who first violated the cease-fire; both sides blamed the other. Putin demanded that, as the outskirts of the town were controlled by rebels, Ukraine retreat from the area; Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko disagreed, arguing that his forces were in control of the area, and called for the rebels to respect the cease-fire agreement.

Last week Putin won as separatists reclaimed Debaltseve.

 “Western officials said the continued fighting could indicate that Mr. Putin favors a simmering conflict – one that he can ignite at any time to impede Ukraine’s attempts to move toward the North Atlantic Treaty Association,” reported the Wall Street Journal.

However, the head of Russia's independent Council for Foreign and Defense Policy think tank Sergei Karaganov believes that Putin’s aims are more serious than simply preventing Ukraine from joining NATO.

“After winning the Cold War, the whole of Europe is losing it now….And it is entering the next phase of international relations disunited, again on the verge of confrontation or even a major war,” Karaganov wrote for the Russian newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta.

            What will Putin do? Apparently, only time will tell....Preferably before the Ukraine goes bankrupt.