Pro-Russian protesters are taking over government buildings in Eastern Ukraine. Donetsk has seen greatest riots so far, but Kharkiv is not far behind. Violence is also starting to flare in Luhansk, a regional capital not far from Donetsk. There is much flag-waving, and the flag is Russian. The Ukrainian police is heavily constrained in its responses as the Russian military is still on the border. Russian officials have repeatedly warned that they will have to protect Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine from any harm that may come their way. In short, everything is going according to plan. The Donetsk-Luhansk-Kharkiv line has been drawn. Sooner or later, Putin will have to act. In fact, he will be forced to act by pro-Russian protesters. His rôle in setting them up will remain contested for a long time. Much longer than needed for the resolution of the conflict in Russia’s favor. And the so-called west will be watching. As well as warning Putin not to go too far. But Ukraine is hardly too far by any standards worth mentioning at this time.