U.S. Diplomat: Moscow Could Reignite Ukraine Fighting
The United States fears that Moscow and pro-Russian separatists will reignite the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine following a February ceasefire that has largely held, a U.S. diplomat warned Wednesday.
"Russia can reignite the conflict at any time of its choosing," the senior State Department official told journalists.
"Everything that Russia has done since the second Minsk agreement suggests that they will hold that option open," the diplomat added.
The February ceasefire deal between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko, agreed during marathon overnight talks in the Belarus capital, has largely held despite sporadic fighting along the frontline.
"Obviously there has been a dramatic decline in the level of violence" the diplomat said, but added that "there has not been a shift in Russia's strategic direction. Russia continues to send equipment across the border."
"We now know that the ceasefire after the first Minsk agreement (in September) was used by the Russians to run a very large 'train and equip' program," the diplomat said.
The United States has long accused Russia of sending heavy military equipment such as tanks and anti-missile systems into eastern Ukraine, a charge that Moscow denies.
American lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Monday to urge President Barack Obama to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons to defend itself against Russian "aggression," but the president has so far resisted calls.
Source: Agence France Presse
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