Recent developments now make the Kremlin denials of involvement in the Ukraine conflict rapidly lose any credibility.
Nato have released released images of Russian Self-Propelled Artillery – Tanks entering Ukraine. Not only this but the Senior NATO official, Brigadier general Nico Tak has stated that well over a thousand Russian troops were operating inside Ukraine.
One of the rebel leaders went further, Alexander Zakharchenko, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic said that about 3,000 Russian volunteers were serving in the rebel ranks. “They support separatists, fighting with them and fighting amongst them”.
The escalation is all the more disappointing given that this all comes just days after Ukraine and Russia held peace talks.
Prime Minister, David Cameron has said: “It is simply not enough to engage in talks in Minsk, while Russian
tanks continue to roll over the border into Ukraine. Such activity must cease immediately.
“We urge Russia to pursue a different path and to find a political solution to this crisis. If Russia does not, then she should be in no doubt that there will be further consequences.”
Pictured; Ukraine forces preparing to advance on Mariupol.
The fighting in eastern Ukraine is seeing a growing humanitarian crisis. It has been estimated that the conflict has claimed more than 2,000 lives since mid-April
The UK is fully supporting efforts to get aid to those in Eastern Ukraine and are making an
additional £1 million available to support the international aid effort. With a clear recognition that this has to be done in the proper way with Red Cross involvement and in support of Ukraine’s own humanitarian efforts.
Only two days ago there was possibility of a roadmap for peace in the east, this idea now, just 48 hours later, seems more distant that ever. We can only hope that the UN emergency Security Council meeting taking place can lead to a de-escalation.
