Crisis in Ukraine - An opportunity to make peace

The news that the Ukrainian military is battling rebel armoured vehicles that crossed from Russia and headed towards Mariupol does not auger well for today’s meeting between Russian and Ukrainian presidents in Minsk. It suggests that Russia is determined to copper-fasten its authority in the region. The Ukraine’s response, and that of its allies, will shape events, but it seems difficult to predict a peaceful outcome.

The incursion suggested that pro-Russian rebels might be trying to open up a new southern front. That suggestion is strengthened by the confirmation from Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, who said that Russia planned to send another humanitarian convoy into eastern Ukraine “in the next few days” as the humanitarian situation there was “deteriorating”. Lavrov also complained of regular “disinformation about Russian ‘incursions’”.

This escalating conflict may not have got the attention it deserves because of the dramatic and graphic terror campaign waged by jihadist extremists in the Middle East, but it is fraught with danger on many, many levels, especially as Ukraine and Western powers have accused Russia of arming the rebels, charges Moscow has denied. Another reason is that there seems to be very few practical or possible ways to resolve it. Let us hope that today’s meeting helps resolve the crisis.