Ukraine worries about resumption of war in east after weeks of escalation
Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines of the conflict with pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk region, February 16, 2021. AFP - ANATOLII STEPANOV
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
In Ukraine, concern is mounting in the Donbass, after the gradual resumption of fighting causing the death of a Ukrainian soldier on Friday March 12.
While a ceasefire has held up year in and year out between separatists and loyalists since the summer of 2020, growing tensions between Kiev and Moscow could be right about the longest truce in this seven-year war.
Publicity
Read more
With our correspondent in Kiev,
Stéphane Siohan
On Friday March 12, a Ukrainian army soldier was shot dead by sniper fire in Mariinka, southwest of Donetsk.
It was the 13th Ukrainian soldier killed since the beginning of the year.
In recent weeks,
the intensity of fighting has increased in the Donbass region
.
It is difficult to assess the cause and effect relationship, but this degradation comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky
took sanctions against Viktor Medvedchuk
, a pro-Russian politician and Vladimir Putin's main relay in the Ukrainian political game.
In early March, pro-Russian separatists said they were allowing pre-emptive strikes to avoid a Ukrainian offensive.
On the Ukrainian side, any intention to engage in hostilities is refuted.
At the diplomatic level, relations are deteriorating between Kiev and Moscow: the Ukrainians have raised their voice against Russia since the arrival of Joe Biden to the American presidency, and the Minsk peace process is totally blocked.
This while according to Ann Lind, president of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),
Russia is blocking any progress in the negotiations
.
On the ground, concerns are mounting about a possible resumption of hostilities once spring arrives.
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Ukraine
Russia
On the same subject
The United States punishes a sulphurous Ukrainian billionaire
EU raises its tone against Russia in Ukraine
Ukraine: under pressure, President Zelensky promises major justice reform