It began like a game of chess. Kiev and the West opened with a successful move, celebrating the fall of Independence Square and the departure of former President Viktor Yanukovych. But while the new Ukrainian government thought it had "checkmated" its Russian opponent, Moscow responded by taking control of the Crimean peninsula. Checkmate? This game is still not over. It is very possible that as far as the Russians are concerned, Crimea was merely its own "check" move. The Russian "mate" is all of eastern Ukraine, the industrialized region that essentially supports the Ukrainian economy. After that, who knows -- we will have to see what happens in Moldova and Estonia. Following Crimea, pro-Russian elements on Monday took control of the city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. They called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to send forces and demanded a referendum, like the one held in Crimea, to also win independence from Ukraine and join Russia. There are similar signs of unrest in Kharkiv. Putin can again claim he has nothing to do with it and that his role is essentially that of liberator of the oppressed Russian minority. In this case he can argue he is merely taking back what was given by Lenin. After Crimea, Nikita Khrushchev's gift, was restored to Russia, it is now all of eastern Ukraine's turn. This time, the Americans responded within hours. Washington made it clear to Russia that this time it really would be a "very serious escalation." As if what has transpired until now has been child's play. Washington's problem is not that Putin will look at Ukraine and, like God in Genesis, see "that it was good", but rather that he will see "that it was easy." The West today, considering its failed approach to the Ukrainian crisis up to now, will undoubtedly struggle to have its threats taken seriously. Indeed, what exactly will the West do if Russia continues swallowing "pieces" in Ukraine- Elections in Ukraine are scheduled for May 25. This is enough time for Putin to further improve the position of his pieces on the Ukrainian chess board. By the time elections roll around, it is possible he will have already moved on to the next board after declaring checkmate in Ukraine.
