Lucian Kim, Reuters: Debaltseve debacle puts Ukraine’s leader in jeopardy. That suits Vladimir Putin just fine.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has suffered another crushing defeat. Less than a week after negotiating the renewal of the so-called Minsk ceasefire agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his soldiers have come limping out of Debaltseve, a road and rail hub in eastern Ukraine that pro-Russian rebels were besieging even as the talks dragged through the night.

WNU Editor: According to my relatives in Ukraine .... people are shell shocked with what has happened (and is happening) in Ukraine. According to them people are angry and frustrated that their lives are getting worse with each passing day .... coupled with a deep worry that the war may escalate to a level that will produce even more horrific casualties. For any other leader .... Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko would be in deep trouble .... but he has one big advantage that may actually help him survive .... many perceive the alternatives to him as being far worse. But if the war escalates and more territories are lost .... coupled with even higher casualties and an economy that utterly craters .... dangers of a repeat revolution or even a civil war cannot be discounted ... and yes .... Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's days will be numbered.