(VOVworld)- The relationship between Russia and Ukraine has turned a dangerous corner. Despite goodwill statements made after Ukraine elected a new President, both countries seem to be losing patience and moving closer to a violent conflict.
Russia on Tuesday submitted to the UN Security Council a resolution condemning Ukraine’s artillery attacks in eastern Ukraine and demanding a cease and a new dialogue. The resolution also demanded an investigation into the deaths of two Russian reporters in Ukraine.
In response, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted a resolution reinforcing its eastern border with Russia. Under the resolution, within 30 days, the Ukraine Border Agency will increase the number of its personnel controlling Ukraine’s eastern border. Ukraine has also begun an effort to clearly define and document its border with Russia. Ukraine is considering a ban on 4 more TV channels from Russia, which would increase the number of Russian channels banned in Ukraine to 8. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has already banned all military cooperation with Russia.
Relationship is frozen
The relationship between Ukraine and Russia has been frozen since Moscow cut its gas supply to Ukraine. An attack by protestors on the Russian Embassy in Kiev has fuelled the tension. Moscow condemned the Ukrainian police for not taking any action to prevent the attack and described the incident as a serious dereliction of Ukraine’s international responsibilities. Ukraine’s Acting Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia made insulting remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin while talking to the protesters who attacked the Russian Embassy.
Relationship unpredictable
In a move to ease the tension, President Poroshenko on Wednesday ordered a unilateral cease fire and stated that he was ready to make further concessions to the rebels including constitutional changes to empower local authorities. Mr. Poroshenko promised to announce a 14-point peace plan but emphasized that the cease fire was only temporary.
According to analysts, the cease fire doesn’t call for a dialogue. It merely calls for armed insurgents to put down their weapons and leave Ukraine, as a precondition for dialogue. Separatists in eastern Ukraine called Mr. Poroshenko’s proposal nonsense. Russia is also sceptical about the idea. According to Russia, the cease fire should be permanent and unconditional. It is unlikely the insurgents will put down their weapons and unlikely that Russia will try to persuade people there to do so.
Despite the cease fire order, the Ukrainian army revealed that it intends to purchase an additional 1,000 armoured vehicles for its campaign in eastern Ukraine and will set up an elite combat unit to cope with national security threats. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Russia is ready for any contingency in Ukraine.
Historically, Ukraine was long a part of Russia. Geographically, Ukraine shares a long border with Russia. Russians are the largest ethnic minority group in Ukraine. Economically, Russia is Ukraine’s principal partner supplying 60% of Ukraine’s gas and half of its raw materials. Russia is also Ukraine’s largest export market. Recent developments in Ukraine have cracked open the relationship between the two former Soviet Socialist Republics making their future difficult to foresee.