Section: The Malaysian Insider (Malaysia)
EU ready for ‘necessary steps’ if Ukraine pact breached
The EU warned Russia Thursday it was ready to take further measures in addition to the sanctions it has already imposed if a new Ukraine peace pact is breached, the bloc’s president Donald Tusk said. “The debate focused on how to support the implementation of the agreement – if it does not happen we will not hesitate to take the...
Ceasefire agreed for eastern Ukraine after Minsk summit
The leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine have agreed a deal to end fighting in eastern Ukraine, participants at the summit talks said on Thursday. The deal reached after all-night negotiations in the Belarussian capital Minsk included a ceasefire that would come into effect on February 15, followed by the withdrawal of heavy...
Possible February 14 ceasefire for Ukraine
A document seen by Reuters at talks on the Ukraine crisis suggested the sides may agree to end fighting in eastern Ukraine with a ceasefire starting on February 14, the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the creation of a security zone. It was unclear whether the English-language document, found in the palace where talks between the leaders...
Hospital under fire in rebel-held Ukraine
“I couldn’t care less whether we’re under the Ukrainians or the separatists. I just want peace,” Irina, a war-weary doctor in rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine, said as shelling boomed close to her hospital. Irina, who declined to give her surname, said she had backed the pro-Western government that came to power after the...
Moment of truth looms at crunch Ukraine summit
Leaders from Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany were due to hold last-ditch peace talks today aimed at halting 10 months of conflict in east Ukraine that has claimed over 5,400 lives. The crunch summit is the climax of a frantic diplomatic push by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande to prevent the worst…...
Obama delays Ukraine arms decision amid diplomatic whirlwind
US President Barack Obama on Monday agreed to hold off a controversial decision on sending arms to Ukraine until German-led efforts to broker a ceasefire with Russia are given a chance. Hosting Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House, Obama said he hoped she could reach a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end 10 months of…...
Obama’s Ukraine policy at crossroads as fighting rages on
Russian-backed rebels’ violent offensive in eastern Ukraine leaves President Barack Obama with perplexing and urgent choices, but aides say he will exercise his typical caution in deciding his next move. Should Obama provide lethal weaponry to the Western-backed Kiev government to staunch Europe’s worst conflict in two decades? Many...
Leaders to discuss ‘last chance’ Ukraine peace bid
French, German and Ukrainian leaders are to discuss a last-ditch peace bid for east Ukraine with Vladimir Putin today, after the US called for “deeds” from the Russian leader accused of masterminding the conflict. President Francois Hollande and Chancellor Angela Merkel were to join Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Putin for...
Ukrainian, rebel convoys head for rail town to evacuate civilians
Convoys of buses converged from two sides on the town of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine on Friday after separatist rebels and government forces appeared to have patched together a truce to allow civilians to be evacuated. A Reuters correspondent outside the town of Horlivka, west of Debaltseve, said around 30 empty buses were heading...
Ukrainian president calls for Nato states to provide weapons
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called on Nato states to send weapons to his country, saying in a newspaper interview that civilian deaths and the growing conflict should provide the Western alliance with enough reason to come to Ukraine’s aid. The United States is reconsidering whether to provide weapons to Ukraine in its fight...
