According to the BBC on Febuary 9 th President Barack Obama: "The possibility of lethal defensive weapons is one of those options that is being examined." What this means is if the Minsk talks fail, the US will supply lethal heavy weapons openly to Ukraine if Russia does not get into line with western policy.
Kiev, which has openly denied Russia is invading or sending regular troops into the conflict is now giving Russia an ultimatum. In October I traveled through the Donbass region and did invasive passport checks on soldiers. My findings agree with Kiev on this point.
There are no Russian military units or regular soldiers in the region. I interviewed Spanish volunteers. I spoke with Chechens, Afghanis, Russian citizens, and Cossacks. They are private citizens that have family here or have come to fight fascism so it does not spread further into Europe or Russia.
Even in the face of this According to the BBC Obama further stated "Russia had violated "every commitment" made in the failing Minsk agreement, he added, after talks with the German chancellor on a new peace deal."
President Obama is under tremendous pressure from the combined Eastern European Caucus on Capital Hill to make this happen. For the nationalists the largest threat to them hasn't been American democracy as it should have been, and should be. It has been Russia that has taken the lead in this and suffered the most for it.
On February 10th the Deputy Head of the Poroshenko Administration, Valery Chaly released these statements.
" Every decision concerning outcome of the upcoming meeting (Minsk) has been made already. Kiev unilaterally rejects all proposals for federalization, the expansion of the DNR an LNR to their administrative borders, and granting rights of broad autonomy.
The only thing that Kiev is ready to agree to is abolish duties between Russia and Donbass at their borders and indulge Donbass in the use of the Russian language."
By taking any and all negotiations off the table, Poroshenko's government has effectively rendered the Minsk talks and agreement worthless.
Taking a Stick To Russia's Putin
Speaking for Poroshenko's administration, Chaly went much further by saying under no circumstances will the conflict be frozen. In an ultimatum to Vladimir Putin's government in Russia he boldly said "If Putin does not accept these terms the "West will thrash Russia! Russia will pay a high price, and among the serious consequences resulting from Russia's lack of obedience would be an escalation of the conflict."
How can Poroshenko's Kiev escalate the conflict more than openly attacking civilians with banned weapons and destroying entire towns? The Ukrainian governments crimes against humanity in front of the world is what frames this conflict. This escalation can only mean drawing Russia into the conflict further, well beyond the diplomatic cover and humanitarian aid Russia is currently providing Donbass today.
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