Ukraine’s interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told the United Nations Security Council that that a peaceful resolution that ends with Kiev and Moscow becoming “real partners” is still possible.  Russia's ambassador replied Moscow “does not want war”.  So why does it still feel like this thing is far from under control?

Oh yeah, it’s those thousands of Russian troops, artillery, and other gear massed at Ukraine’s border, some within an hour’s drive of Ukraine’s capital Kiev.  Officially, they’re there for preplanned military exercises.  1,500 highly trained paratroopers and their gear will be dropped along the Rostov Oblast bordering Ukraine’s east within the coming days.

As many as 25,000 Russian troops already occupy Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula, and the provisional authorities plan to hold a referendum on Sunday asking residents if they want to break from Ukraine and join Russia.  Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin insisted that Crimea’s Russian-speaking majority deserves the same right to self-determination as anyone, asking, “Why should the Crimeans be the exception?”

The US, Europe, and Ukraine’s interim government are opposed.  Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk blasted Russia’s “military aggression” against his nation, but held out hope for a peaceful resolution.

“We still believe that we have a chance to resolve these conflicts in a peaceful manner,” he told the Security Council.