Lucian Kim at Reuters writes that:
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 ab of Debaltseve, a road and rail hub in eastern Ukraine that pro-Russian rebels were besieging even as the talks dragged through the night. Not only does the fierce fighting cast doubt on the chance for a lasting truce, but it puts the Ukrainian president in an increasingly difficult position domestically ... Crimea has been lost, the economy is cratering, and more than 5,000 people have been killed in a war with murky origins and little purpose.
Putin, meanwhile:
… couldn’t help but gloat …. “Of course losing is always bad, and it’s unfortunate for the losing side … But that’s life, and it will keep going. I don’t think it’s necessary to get too caught up by it.”
Enjoying himself and the moment:
... when asked about possible U.S. arms shipments to Ukraine, Putin said that according to his information, the United States is already delivering weapons — and there’s “nothing unusual” about it.