We hadn't heard much from the separatists in eastern Ukraine lately, but last week they put forward proposals for the long-term status of those regions. These are mainly in line with the Minsk peace plan of February, but they are also designed to be rejected by the government of Ukraine as a way to produce a permanent frozen conflict zone, akin to the Russian-controlled areas of Georgia.
The separatists published their proposals on the website of the "Donetsk News Agency," where they often post official statements. There is a document suggesting amendments to the Ukrainian Constitution and another outlining a draft law on elections for the rebel-held areas. Both have Moscow's fingerprints; they demonstrate a lawyerly cunning that the rough and ready rebels have never exhibited.
Judging from the two documents, President Vladimir Putin's goal is for Ukraine's leaders in Kiev to reject the proposals. Then he will be able to say Ukraine has broken its political terms and renounce his own key concession — to return control of Ukraine's southeastern border to the central government by the end of the year.