Irish Examiner view: Possibility of peace is delayed yet again

There have been encouraging signs that a ceasefire might be on the horizon in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine 

Russian president Vladimir Putin speaking during his visit to military headquarters in the Kursk region of Russia. Picture: Russian Presidential Press Service/AP

Developments this week in the Russia-Ukraine conflict followed a now familiar pattern. A glimmer of hope followed by a violent strike, which all but extinguishes the chance of peace. Two days ago, Russian president Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region, which was the subject of a Ukrainian counter-offensive last year. Dressed in military clothing, Mr Putin said he hoped Russian forces would soon liberate — to use his term — the area in a series of offensives.

The Ukrainian commander in the field, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, immediately retorted that he was making a tactical withdrawal to a better position, and accused Mr Putin of trying to make “political gains” by trying to drive Ukrainian forces out of the region.