Pro-Russian separatist rebels in Ukraine continued to fire on Ukrainian positions despite the cease-fire deal that was made on February 12th by the leaders of Russia and Ukraine as well as France and Germany.
The Ukrainian crisis began in February of last year when pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was removed from power by a parliament that wished to seek ties with the European Union (EU). Shortly after, Russia annexed Crimea after rebels in the region took control of the capital and demanded a referendum to join Russia. Since then, the crisis spread further east with more Russian and separatist forces moving farther into the country. Russia’s actions in the Ukraine were heavily criticized, especially by the United States. Though there was no military action taken, the U.S. placed harsh economic sanctions on Russia in the hopes of putting an end to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intervention in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said at a news conference in London last week that if Russia continues its actions, “there will be further consequences including consequences that will place added strains on Russia’s already troubled economy.”