Three reasons Putin will march into eastern Ukraine

NATO sees no Russian troop pullout as Moscow hits Ukraine economy AFP
Three reasons Putin will march into eastern Ukraine. And three he won’t. Christian Science Monitor
NATO suspends cooperation with Russia over Ukraine crisis Reuters
Putin, Obama discuss solution to Ukraine crisis Associated Press
NATO suspends cooperation with Russia over Crimea crisis AFP
At the same time, the NATO ministers moved to bolster Alliance forces in Eastern Europe – and to suspend all military and civilian cooperation with Russia.
The moves suggest a deepening estrangement between Russia and the West, even as leaders on all sides continue to call for dialogue and a diplomatic solution to the Russia-Ukraine standoff.

 RECOMMENDED: How much do you know about Ukraine? Take our quiz!

NATO ministers meeting in Brussels Tuesday ordered up plans for beefing up defenses and the Alliance presence in member countries closest to Russia – such as the Baltic states and Poland – that have expressed growing unease over Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
At the same time, they approved a suspension of cooperation with Russia that will affect hundreds of programs, from counterterrorism efforts to civilian air security programs.
After Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea province last month it could no longer be “business as usual” with Russia, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters after the ministers’ meeting.
NATO will also boost its cooperation with Ukraine’s armed forces by increasing joint training programs and Ukrainian participation in NATO exercises.
Earlier Tuesday Russia left no doubt about its view of closer Ukraine-NATO ties, issuing a statement that largely blamed past Ukrainian flirtations with NATO for the crisis shaking Europe’s post-cold-war order.