Section: iPolitics (Canada)
Still dreaming of a miracle in Ukraine
On the eve of the Minsk summit last week, acknowledging the dire plight of his outgunned and almost encircled armed forces, a visibly exhausted Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said, “I know. But maybe we will get a miracle. Yes, a miracle.” It reminded me of what former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt said about Ukraine’s hope for...
Canada all bellicosity, no action on Ukraine: Westdal
Few people are as uniquely qualified to comment on the current state of affairs between Russia and Ukraine as Christopher Westdal, who has been Canada’s ambassador to both nations. He has long advocated for a better, more comprehensive policy when it comes to the Kremlin but says that, with a government known for its loudness and not its...
A deal for Ukraine — and a last-ditch to avert a wider war in Europe
After 17 hours of tough negotiation at the Minsk Summit, we have a ceasefire deal for Ukraine. It’s a fragile peace, and in no way does it solve the political issues that led to the civil war. What it does do is provide critical breathing space for the parties to step back and re-examine their respective positions. There is a measure of...
Harper encouraged by Ukraine peace agreement, but remains skeptical
VICTORIAVILLE, Que. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he is encouraged by a comprehensive peace deal reached today between Ukraine and Russia, but says he is being cautious about whether Russia will honour it. The peace deal was hammered out today following all-night negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany at a summit in...
New peace deal reached for eastern Ukraine
MINSK, Belarus — Leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany on Thursday emerged from marathon 16-hour talks to announce a comprehensive peace deal for eastern Ukraine, but questions remained whether Ukraine and the pro-Russian rebels have agreed on all of its terms. Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters that the agreement envisages...
Kenney hints Canada might be willing to train Ukrainian forces with U.S.
The country’s new defence minister left the door open Wednesday for Canadian troops to join the U.S. in training Ukrainian forces and for an extension of the combat mission against the Islamic State. Jason Kenney, speaking on CBC’s Power and Politics, echoed Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s comments in saying that “all options...
We may be close to a peace deal on Ukraine
At the time I’m writing this, it’s still not entirely clear whether there will be a meeting in Minsk on Wednesday to hammer out a peace deal for Ukraine. But, unlike last Friday, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande flew to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, I believe a deal...
Harper, Merkel agree to disagree on Ukraine
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and German Chancellor Angela Merkel continue to disagree on whether to provide military assistance to Ukraine in the event of a breakdown of negotiations with Russia later this week. Merkel spent the day on a whirlwind tour of North America, stopping first in Washington before heading back through Ottawa, in an...
Ukraine needs our diplomacy — not our weapons
The ingredients were all there for a rapid escalation in the crisis. Bloody battles in the Debaltseve region, a new front in the southern city of Mariupol forming a land bridge between Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, a January declaration from rebel leaders for the mobilization of one hundred thousand fighters, and claims of Russian troops and...
Open letter to Merkel: Give Ukraine the tools to fight for its life
This is an open letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel from Yaroslav Baran, Euromaidan Ottawa, on the occasion of Merkel’s flying visit to Ottawa to discuss the Ukraine crisis with Prime Minister Stephen Harper: Dear Chancellor Merkel: As head of government of the Federal Republic of Germany, there is no question that you are a friend of...
