Ukraine will host the US-led military exercises in mid-September, according to Poland’s defense ministry. It provokes Russia.
Tuesday informed American sources told Reuters that it was taken a decision to carry out the exercise, and this was confirmed today by the Polish Ministry.
Hundreds of soldiers from the allied forces to participate in military exercise named “Rapid Trident 14″ from 13 to 26 September, according to the Polish Ministry, quoted by AFP news agency.
The exercises will take place west of Ukraine, near the border with NATO member Poland. Similarly exercises have been held several times in recent years.
“Provocation”
Colonel-General Leonid Ivastsjov said Wednesday news agency RIA Novosti that the planned exercise “Rapid Trident” is a “provocation.”
Ivastsjov strongly against the exercise, and he says there is a possibility that a limited NATO contingent can simply be left in Ukraine when the maneuver is over.
– It is not human that NATO, at a time when Ukraine actually is in a civil war, the military support to the regime in Kiev, he said.
In Eastern Ukraine government forces in the war with prorussiske separatists.
Obama: NATO must help
Earlier Wednesday urged, however, President NATO to continue to strengthen the Ukrainian military in the fight against Russia.
– NATO must adopt specific measures to help modernize and strengthen Ukraine’s defense. We must also do more to help NATO partners like Georgia and Moldova, said Barack Obama during a speech in Tallinn the day before the defense alliance’s summit in Wales.
Close agreement
Earlier Wednesday claimed Russia’s president that Kiev and Moscow are very close to agreement on a political solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin presented Wednesday one sjupunktsplan which according his own words, to “end the bloodshed”. Top is reportedly the requirement that both the rebels and government forces lay down their arms.
– I believe that a final agreement between the authorities in Kiev and southeastern Ukraine can be achieved and cemented during the meeting of the contact group 5 . September, says President Vladimir Putin, according to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
The so-called Contact Group met last time Monday and is composed of representatives of the prorussiske rebels, Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Jatsenjuk: Putin wants to restore Soviet
Russian president plans in reality to destroy Ukraine and restore the Soviet Union, said Ukrainian Prime Minister about Vladimir Putin ‘ peace plan. “
Putin’s reflections on creating peace in Ukraine is in reality an attempt to avoid new sanctions from the West, claims Jatsenjuk Wednesday afternoon.
– Russia has ignored or destroyed all previous peace agreements – in Geneva, in Normandy, in Berlin and Minsk – and the only solution is that Moscow pull all its forces out of Ukraine, said Ukrainian Prime Minister.
Porosjenko: – Politicians will play war
Ukrainian President Petro Porosjenko says he expects the so-called Contact Group is launching a peace process in eastern Ukraine on Friday.
– The Ukrainian people support this fully, while politicians want to play war. I would like to say that I am not going to allow this, saying Porosjenko.
This testimonials came shortly after Prime Minister Jatsenjuks statement mentioned above.
New games
After the gentle sounds of Kiev and Moscow, came Wednesday afternoon reports of renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine. A Ukrainian official told AFP that 87 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in heavy fighting around the town Ilovaysk east of rebel bastion Donetsk, where government troops allegedly surrounded by rebels.
A reporter from Reuters also reports about powerful explosions north of Donetsk, and black smoke rising from an area very close to the city’s airport.
The war in eastern Ukraine has been ongoing since February this year, and according to the UN fighting claimed more than 2,600 lives. Around a million people have been forced to flee their homes.
Talked together
Putin says that both separatists and the Ukrainian forces must stop all military operations in eastern Ukraine and international observers to be sent to the area to monitor a possible ceasefire.
– Our perceptions of how the conflict can be resolved is, as I see it, very similar, said Russian President told reporters in Mongolia’s capital Ulan Bator, reports Reuters.
Putin and Porosjenko agreed measures in a phone call Wednesday morning. According to Putin is also prisoner exchange and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor for refugees or wounded, and among the measures. The same is the creation of a “safe zone” on the ground in eastern Ukraine.
IN ESTONIA: President Barack Obama hit out against Russia during their speak in Estonia on Wednesday.
Photo: Larry Downing Reuters
Lukewarm reception
Minister Børge Brende (H) take any modification of its reaction to the announced understanding between Kiev and Moscow.
– There have been many rounds with the hope of truce and solutions for eastern Ukraine. So here you have to take every subject, for it is only when it begins to materialize on the ground that one can speak of a real progress, says Brende said.
Also President was lukewarm the news that Putin and Porosjenko – the day before the NATO summit in Wales starts – should have been agreed basis for a ceasefire process.
– A ceasefire can work only if the Russians keep up pretend that they are not part of the conflict and stop sending troops and weapons into the country, says Barack Obama.
NATO has sharply condemned Russia’s conduct in Ukraine. The crisis in eastern Ukraine and the West’s relations with Russia are top of the agenda at the summit.
Not warships from France
Wednesday came message that France will deliver a new helicopter carrier to Russia as scheduled.
The background is Russia’s interference in Ukraine, said President François Hollander office.
– The President has decided that despite the possibility of a truce, not yet confirmed and entered into force; is not the right conditions for France to approve the delivery of the first helicopter carrier, said the statement from the president.
No comments:
Post a Comment