Violence Renewed in Ukraine Just Hours After Expiration of Ceasefire

Today, Ukrainian military forces began operations in eastern Ukraine, just hours after the expiration of President Poroshenko’s ten-day ceasefire. Violence has escalated sharply, with heavy fire and airstrikes coming from the national military, directed toward the pro-Russian separatists. Parliamentary Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov today told chamber officials that the military efforts are “effective and yielding results.” 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the renewed violence, commenting during an ambassadorial meeting, “All of us in Europe need a sort of safety net, so the … [Ukrainian precedent] will not turn into an infectious disease.”

Ukrainian forces and the separatist movement seem prepared for a potentially extended period of renewed conflict — if true, such protracted violence risks substantial civilian casualties, and could prove detrimental to future societal and political equanimity in Ukraine. Separatists confirmed yesterday that they would consider future negotiations with the Ukrainian government under the condition that Poroshenko removed Ukrainian military forces from eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian President has clearly stated that this is not a compromise he is willing to consider.

The prospect of successful negotiations seems bleak at this time, given the ultimatums issued by pro-Russian separatists and Poroshenko’s unwillingness to acquiesce. Nevertheless, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France have planned to meet today in Berlin in order to kickstart a final round of negotiations.

The western world is widely critical of Russia’s role in the conflict, believing on the whole that Russia has not exerted enough active effort in convincing pro-Russian separatists to lay down arms, or halt weapons flow across the Russian-Ukrainian border. The U.S. and its allies are prepared to issue a new round of sanctions against Russia if its actions escalate the renewed violence in Ukraine’s east.

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1. […] Violence Renewed in Ukraine Just Hours After Expiration of Ceasefire Victoria Burnside ClappToday, Ukrainian military forces began operations in eastern Ukraine, just hours after the expiration of President Poroshenko’s ten-day ceasefire. Violence has escalated sharply, with heavy fire and airstrikes coming from the national military, directed toward the pro-Russian separatists. Parliamentary Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov today told chamber officials that the military efforts are “effective and yielding results.” McLarty, “Stop Campaigning and Start Budgeting” on HuffPostMaggie Feldman-PiltchA new Huffington Post op-ed by Thomas “Mack” McLarty, Chief of Staff to President Clinton and chairman of McLarty Associates and The McLarty Companies, warns against the impacts of the partisanship plaguing Washington. Compromise is necessary for progress but seen as a weakness and avoided at all costs. ASP in Las Vegas: Threat from Climate Change in the Desert Andrew HollandOn Wednesday and Thursday, June 11 and 12, representatives of the American Security Project visited Las Vegas, Nevada for a series of meetings, public events, and briefings on how climate change is affecting security, and how institutions in the region are planning for it. ASP in Dallas: Climate Change and America’s National SecurityAndrew HollandOn Monday and Tuesday, June 2 and 3, representatives of the American Security Project visited Dallas, Texas for a series of meetings, public events, and briefings on how climate change is affecting security, and how institutions in the region are planning for it.Upcoming EventsInvite – Iraq in Crisis: Recent Development and Risk Management Strategy July 16 @ 12:00 PM – 1:30 PMJoin the American Security Project and Clements Worldwide on July 16th, as an expert panel will discuss the latest situation in Iraq, assess some potential outcomes, and determine how individuals and businesses can effectively manage risk in the region moving forward. […]

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