By Kyle Herda
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe
KIEV, Ukraine – Amid all the chaos that has ensued in Eastern Ukraine over the past week, there may finally be a sign of light. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko have reportedly agreed to a cease-fire between the two nations.
This reported cease-fire follows a week of high escalation in fighting. Anywhere from 1,000 to 15,000 Russian troops have reportedly entered into Ukraine and stormed the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, bringing along tanks and artillery, prompting Kiev to change their tactic from chasing out pro-Russian rebels in the east to now falling back and attempting to hold off against a Russian incursion.
While Russia continues to deny any sort of invasion, the Kremlin does not deny that Putin told Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, that Russia could take Kiev in two weeks.
The escalated fighting has caused particular concern to NATO, as Baltic nations like Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania are nearby and feeling particularly threatened by a now-militaristic and invasive Russia. To curb their concerns, NATO has taken the step of creating a “readiness force” of several thousand troops that can quickly respond if needed. President Obama further pleads support to the Baltic nations through NATO, stating: “We’ll be here for Estonia. We’ll be here for Latvia. We’ll be here for Lithuania. You lost your independence once before. With NATO, you’ll never lose it again.”
The United States has also scheduled a military exercise for next week to take place in Poland near the Ukrainian border. This exercise will also include military personnel from Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Britain, Canada, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Spain. The United States will also be moving troops and 600 troops to Poland and the Baltic states for further military exercises to take place next month.
Australia and France have also acted out against Russia in response to this week’s invasion. France has halted the sale of a French battleship to Russia, and Australia has halted the sale of uranium to Russia. Australia also opened an Australian embassy in Kiev in support of Ukrainian sovereignty.
The increased pressure on both parties, via Russian incursion on Ukraine and via the rest of the world’s actions in response to Russia’s behavior, seems to have finally reached a breaking point. In the face of all-out warfare, both Ukraine and Russia have allegedly agreed to a cease-fire and to work towards peace. Whether the deal will become permanent or fall apart remains to be seen, but for the moment it appears possible that an end may be in sight for a conflict that has claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
For more information, please see:
RT – US prepares military drill in W. Ukraine for mid-September – 3 September 2014
LA Times – Obama reassures Baltic allies of NATO support amid Ukraine conflict – 3 September 2014
The New York Times – Obama Calls Ukraine a ‘Moment of Testing’ for NATO – 3 September 2014
The Australian – Australia considers aid to Ukraine, opens Kiev embassy – 3 September 2014
The Washington Post – Putin says he and Ukrainian president agree on outlines of a peace deal – 3 September 2014
CBS – Ukraine says it is now battling the Russian military – 2 September 2014
The Guardian – Putin claims Russian forces ‘could conquer Ukraine capital in two weeks’ – 2 September 2014
NBC – Baltic States Fear Putin Amid Escalation in Ukraine – 2 September 2014
The Wall Street Journal – Ukraine Shifts to Defense Against Russian Incursion – 1 September 2014
BBC – Ukraine crisis: Nato chief Rasmussen announces new force – 1 September 2014
