The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to grow. The United Nations is calling for a peaceful settlement of the conflict and supports the territorial integrity of Crimea and the Donbas Region. However, the Russian government’s escalation of its aggression has many worried. A recent BBC article describes the fate of the HMS Defender. Another news report cites Agence France-Presse as saying that the Russians detained dozens of anti-war protesters in Moscow on the day of a “Russian peace march”.
The current crisis in Ukraine has led many to question the feasibility of diplomatic negotiations. According to a report from the OSCE, two Russian soldiers captured in the Ukraine are ex-soldiers. Earlier this week, a Washington Post article reported that Moscow’s admission that two of the captured fighters were ex-soldiers was a big deal. But what about the OSCE report? The OSCE is caught in the crossfire of the pro-Russian propaganda war and has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
The situation is extremely complicated, as both sides are accusing each other of invading the other. The European Union and US both have a role in this. The US and Russia have worked to de-nuclearize Ukraine. The former Soviet republic had the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world before the conflict began. Fortunately, both sides backed the Ukrainian government in a major de-nuclearization effort. While there’s still uncertainty about Putin’s ultimate intentions, the recent reports suggest that the two countries are on the road to war.
The Ukrainian and Russian Presidents met in Paris on Tuesday. These talks, brokered by France and Germany, aim to end the war in the eastern part of the country. Although the chances of the negotiations being successful are high, diplomats in the two countries expressed reservations ahead of the meeting. The Russians returned three Ukrainian naval ships to Ukraine today. The vessels were seized by the Russian military in November, and the sailors associated with them were freed in September of this year.
Some experts are questioning the possibility of a diplomatic solution. The new Ukrainian government is not a Nazi regime, but Vladimir Putin has used these comparisons to justify its recognition of the Luhansk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine. And while the Russian military is a rogue state, it cannot recognize its neighbor. A peaceful solution would have to be reached between the two countries. That’s what both sides are doing.
The war in the east of Ukraine has displaced thousands of people. Despite the plethora of casualties, the Ukrainian government underestimated the numbers of casualties. Some medics, activists, and army officials were shocked and were unable to estimate the number of victims. The official list will give all the necessary details about the war and the conflict. It will be helpful to have a clear picture of what is happening in the area.
During the Russian occupation of Crimea, 6 people were killed. At least 3 of these were pro-Russian, while one was pro-Ukrainian. At least two soldiers were in the SDF, and two Ukrainians were among the casualties of the battle. The military has also claimed that the Russians raided the area to prevent the Ukrainians from being armed. The military has also refused to retaliate against the Russians in the eastern part of the country.
There are no military troops in the country yet. However, the US is committed to helping Ukraine defend its “sovereign territory” in the east of the country. Currently, eight thousand combat-ready troops are deployed in NATO countries in Eastern Europe. In addition to a stern warning from President Obama, many countries have imposed sanctions on Russia. Even friendly nations like the EU and the U.S. have distanced themselves from Putin, saying they had no right to interfere in the Ukrainian government.
Russia is waging war in Ukraine, and that is causing widespread unrest in the country. The Russian president’s decision to declare Ukraine a “freedom zone” in the eastern region would also make him more unpopular in Ukraine. With this move, Putin has clearly stepped up his aggression and he may be nearing the end of his political career. If so, will the United States join the EU, NATO, and the EU-NATO member countries?