Moscow denies ceas-fire with Ukraine; Japanese cabinet shuffle brings five women to fore; China and Canada attempt to mend relations; ISIS releases another video; Obama visits Estonia; and more 

Top of the Agenda

Confusion Over Ukraine Cease-fire Agreement

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko announced Wednesday that he had reached an agreed with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on a cease-fire (Reuters) in the country's conflict with pro-Russian rebels, but Moscow denied the truce deal, saying the two leaders only discussed steps toward peace. Meanwhile, U.S. president Barack Obama arrived in Estonia (DW) ahead of the NATO summit in Wales to reassure Baltic leaders, pledging to bolster U.S. air force presence in Baltic states. The International Monetary Fund warned that Ukraine could require as much as $19 billion in international financing (FT) if the war continues through 2015.

Analysis

"The priority for policymakers in Washington will be to cling to as much of the substance of Western liberal order as possible, while carefully managing its rising frictions and differences with Russia and China," writes CFR's Stewart Patrick.

"After a summer of rapidly deteriorating crises around the world, the Wales summit is Mr Obama's chance to end the sense of drift—and strategic confusion–which has gripped his presidency. He must seize the moment," writes the Financial Times.

"NATO's European members should show their serious intent in another way, too. Fiscal austerity and a false sense of security have resulted in years of defence-budget cuts, whereas Russia has doubled its military spending (in nominal terms) since 2007," writes the Economist.

 

PACIFIC RIM

Japan's Abe Reshuffles Cabinet

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appointed new officials to his cabinet on Wednesday, retaining key ministers but notably naming five women to posts (JapanTimes). The shuffle comes as his administration faces a host of challenges, including the fate of another potential tax hike and strained ties with Asian neighbors.

CFR's Sheila Smith discusses Japan's pivot to India in this new blog post.

CHINA: Senior Canadian and Chinese officials met quietly in Ottawa last week to discuss damaged relations that have threatened Prime Minister Stephen Harper's planned visit to China in November (SCMP).

ELSEWHERE:

ISIS releases another video

Obama visits Estonia 

This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org