Euronews’ Kyiv correspondent Maria Korenyuk, asks What can stop the conflict escalating in Donbas; diplomacy or weapons? “Western leaders will make
ADVERTISEMENTEuronews’ Kyiv correspondent Maria Korenyuk, asks What can stop the conflict escalating in Donbas; diplomacy or weapons?
“Western leaders will make the final decision after peace talks in Minsk on Wednesday. Kyiv, meanwhile insists it needs defensive weapons. On Wednesday, the Ukrainian parliament will also urge the US Congress to hasten providing Ukraine with military aid”.
The renewed fighting has led to loud calls for more force to be used against Russia but some remain unconvinced that peace lies at the end of a barrel.
Foreign policy analyst Oleh Voloshyn told euronews that Russia is simply too powerful.
“At best they (Ukraine) hope the casualties incurred by the Russian army could provoke Putin to stop aggression, but possibly it wouldn’t. A military solution is an option only for Russia,” said Voloshyn.
Sentiments shared by others who say an increase in fighting would be disastrous for all.
“I don’t think we need to fight, to ask for military aid. That’s how World War 3 can start,” said one woman.
But others disagreed. One man in Kyiv told euronews:
“We need to ask for weapons. The Western countries should help us. It also concerns them. If they (Russians) take us, they will crush everyone else.”
Others fear that Wednesday’s negotiations are only a ruse that will allow the separatists to re-arm to continue their fight.