From the Beginning.

Editor,

Kiev foolishly answered demands for more autonomy and federation with artillery and bombs when they were made initially.

Egged on by Western politicians and propaganda instruments like the NY Times demonizing Mr. Putin, Kiev escalated its attacks and is continuing to escalate its hostile policies toward Russia.

Time has long since passed for Cold War hawks like Samantha Power to sheath their swords and send Kiev to the negotiating table. Wild threats to join NATO -- precisely the most hostile move with which Kiev could threaten Moscow -- are completely irresponsible.

Western leaders, by whom I mean President Obama, should quietly abandon their aggression in Ukraine and let this completely unnecessary conflict be resolved. Kiev is killing its own people for no discernible reason.

Federation is a good thing. Why Kiev responded to the proposition with open warfare is beyond me.

(Not really. It was manipulated by neocons who thought conditions were ripe to weaken Russia. I am disappointed that the NY Times has parroted the Cold War anti-Putin line rather than to challenge it from the beginning.)

Re: "Praising Rebels, Putin Toughens Tone" (8/30/2014)