Something building regarding Ukraine?
Two weeks ago, it seemed possible that a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis was both possible and even probable.
For a while the language on both sides was positive and the intent looked honest.
Sadly it looks now like a false dawn. On both the Peace talks and the Gas negotiations, there is little doubt that the Kiev government is not serious in finding a resolution. With the Peace talks, it looks more and more that Kiev is trying to drag things out in the hope that they can crush the rebellion before having to agree to Federal reform.
On the gas price issue, Yatsenyuks demand to be given the same price as offered to Yanokovych is simply ridiculous, especially when the discount on offer, makes the price as good as that to any other European customer.
From the Russian side, there is a clear indication that they are viewing the position of Kiev as little more than a pantomime and that Russia is simply Kiev the rope it needs to hang itself. Strangely enough it is also the Ukraine's western backers that seem intent on encouraging them to take it.
Russia clearly has no intention of letting the rebellion be crushed, hence the start of the release of old reserve equipment; such as the T64 MBT's, to the pro Russian side.
Diplomatically, I think we are now fast approaching the point where Russia can say that it has bent over backwards to try and reach a resolution with the Ukraine, only to be cynically rebuffed by a side not negotiating in good faith. Yesterdays attack on the Russian embassy in Kiev, the blocking by the US, UK and France of a UN resolution condemning the attack and the televised undiplomatic speech by the coup appointed Foreign Minister, while at the scene of the attack, does nothing to dispel this impression.
We are I think coming close to the point where Putin will start taking the gloves off!
Two weeks ago, it seemed possible that a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis was both possible and even probable.
For a while the language on both sides was positive and the intent looked honest.
Sadly it looks now like a false dawn. On both the Peace talks and the Gas negotiations, there is little doubt that the Kiev government is not serious in finding a resolution. With the Peace talks, it looks more and more that Kiev is trying to drag things out in the hope that they can crush the rebellion before having to agree to Federal reform.
On the gas price issue, Yatsenyuks demand to be given the same price as offered to Yanokovych is simply ridiculous, especially when the discount on offer, makes the price as good as that to any other European customer.
From the Russian side, there is a clear indication that they are viewing the position of Kiev as little more than a pantomime and that Russia is simply Kiev the rope it needs to hang itself. Strangely enough it is also the Ukraine's western backers that seem intent on encouraging them to take it.
Russia clearly has no intention of letting the rebellion be crushed, hence the start of the release of old reserve equipment; such as the T64 MBT's, to the pro Russian side.
Diplomatically, I think we are now fast approaching the point where Russia can say that it has bent over backwards to try and reach a resolution with the Ukraine, only to be cynically rebuffed by a side not negotiating in good faith. Yesterdays attack on the Russian embassy in Kiev, the blocking by the US, UK and France of a UN resolution condemning the attack and the televised undiplomatic speech by the coup appointed Foreign Minister, while at the scene of the attack, does nothing to dispel this impression.
We are I think coming close to the point where Putin will start taking the gloves off!
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