The slow-motion crisis in Ukraine as Russia attempts to establish its control over the east of the country has intensified, with the seizure of government buildings, fighting between separatists and Ukrainian government forces, and votes on autonomy in Russian-speaking parts of the country. Russia has put additional pressure on Kyiv, announcing that Ukraine will now have to pay for its energy up-front, threatening to bankrupt the current government. Britain, the European Union, Japan and the U…
