Conflict In Ukraine Reignites As Trump Takes Office

A Ukrainian serviceman walks past Ukrainian tanks in Avdiivka, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Two Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the country’s industrial east as both government forces and rebels reported shelling on their positions overnight, Ukraine’s government said early Thursday. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
A Ukrainian serviceman walks past Ukrainian tanks in Avdiivka, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Two Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the country's industrial east as both government forces and rebels reported shelling on their positions overnight, Ukraine's government said early Thursday. Evgeniy Maloletka / AP Photo
A Ukrainian serviceman walks past Ukrainian tanks in Avdiivka, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Two Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the country’s industrial east as both government forces and rebels reported shelling on their positions overnight, Ukraine’s government said early Thursday. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
A Ukrainian serviceman walks past Ukrainian tanks in Avdiivka, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Two Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the country's industrial east as both government forces and rebels reported shelling on their positions overnight, Ukraine's government said early Thursday. Evgeniy Maloletka / AP Photo

Conflict In Ukraine Reignites As Trump Takes Office

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Dozens have been wounded and at least twelve soldiers have been killed amid an upsurge in fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed rebels and Ukrainian soldiers. Avdiivka, a government-held town in eastern Ukraine, is being evacuated.

The resurgence in violence is in violation of a two-year-old peace agreement, is taking place as a new Secretary of State, with long ties to Russia, was confirmed by the Senate. The State Department released a statement that did not condemn the Russian involvement in the conflict.

We discuss what’s happening in eastern Ukraine and the evolving U.S.- Russia relationship with Matthew Rojansky, director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center.