Alexander Zakharchenko stands during a swearing in ceremony in Donetsk on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Mstyslav Chernov)
The Donetsk People’s Republic, the contested area of eastern Ukraine that has been the scene of violent confrontations between Ukrainian troops and separatist rebels, recently elected a new leader, Alexander Zakharchenko. On The John Batchelor Show, Stephen Coehn explains that it was not clear whether or not the Kremlin wanted this to take place. The situation reminds us that “the Kremlin is not in complete control of the Donbass.”
“[Zakharchenko]…is an interesting figure partly because he is so local,” says Cohen. “He is representative of the political forces in the Donbass, not the ones in Moscow.”
—Jessica McKenzie
Stephen F. CohenStephen F. Cohen is a professor emeritus of Russian studies and politics at New York University and Princeton University. A Nation contributing editor, his most recent book, War With Russia? From Putin & Ukraine to Trump & Russiagate, is available in paperback and in an ebook edition. His weekly conversations with the host of The John Batchelor Show, now in their seventh year, are available at www.thenation.com.