The Russians had dangled their multi-billion euro carrot - then swiftly removed it pending further details of who is really running the show (demanding a crackdown on the extremists who are trying to establish power).

The Europeans have promised an even bigger carrot - predicated on, we presume, total abdication of sovereignty.

But now the Americans are jumping in - Treasury Secretary Jack Lew "urged" Ukraine's interim leader Yatsenyuk to start talks with the IMF as he and Lagarde agreed the fund would be the best foundation for advice and financing (if sought by a fully established Ukrainian government).

 

Just this morning, Ukraine explained it needed $35 billion over the next 2 years...