Paul Goble quotes extensively from a piece by Russian scholar Vladimir Pasthukov in polit.ru describing Putin as the "'Last Soldier' Of A Dying Empire."
President Poroshenko used a speech yesterday marking Ukraine's declaration of sovereignty 24 years ago to assure the country that while "today our country is enduring an ordeal, but I firmly believe the Ukrainian people respond with decency to all challenges. We will win. A sovereign and united Ukraine will become a modern European state -- wealthy and powerful," according to the National Security and Defense Council's Information-Analytical Center's website.
Sanctions targets and broader Russian market taking it on the chin this morning.
h/t @RolandOliphant
Here's the Kremlin's (so far partial) transcript of Putin's comments at a Brasilia press conference upon hearing the news of fresh U.S. sanctions. Amid an excoriation of Western measures related to Ukraine, the Russian president adds that "the door to the negotiation process for overcoming and getting past this situation remains open."