Obama: Vladimir Putin trying to 'recreate Soviet empire'

Fresh violence in east Ukraine prompts emergency UN meeting

5 June

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session today following the first bout of serious fighting in eastern Ukraine since a shaky ceasefire was agreed in February.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has told his army to be prepared for a "full-scale" Russian invasion, warning of a "colossal threat of the resumption of large-scale hostilities by Russian and terrorist forces".Poroshenko claims that 9,000 Russian troops are in the rebel-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine – an accusation denied by Moscow, which blames Kiev for aggravating tensions.Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary general, has expressed concern over "increased unpredictability, increased insecurity, increased nervousness" in the region.The separatists say 16 of their fighters and five civilians have died in fighting around the town of Marinka, 20km west of Donetsk, this week, while Ukrainian forces say five servicemen have been killed and 39 wounded."Dramatic footage of the battle of Marinka apparently shot by separatist fighters and published by Russian agencies on Thursday showed well-equipped soldiers fighting with machine guns, armoured vehicles, and main battle tanks," reports the Daily Telegraph.The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has reported several ceasefire violations this week and yesterday said that separatist leaders had ignored its multiple attempts to make contact to broker a truce.Nearly 6,500 people have died in the conflict so far, while hundreds of thousands have been forced to leave their homes.

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The BBC's Tom Burridge points out that this most recent escalation in violence comes three weeks before the European Union is due to decide whether or not to renew sanctions against Russia. "The stakes are high," he says, with neither side wanting to be seen as responsible for breaking "the highly publicised, but so far unsuccessful" peace agreement.

Ukraine crisis: US warns Russia over Minsk deal violations

18 February

The US has said that the "costs to Russia will rise" if it continues to violate the Ukraine peace deal agreed in Minsk last week.

Fighting has continued in Debaltseve, a strategic town that sits on a railway line linking rebel-held Donetsk and Luhansk, despite the ceasefire deadline passing at midnight on Saturday night.The United Nation's Security Council has unanimously approved the Minsk peace agreement, but Samantha Power, US ambassador to the UN, was particularly critical of Russia's actions.She said it was "ironic" that Russia had drafted the resolution while "backing an all-out assault" in Ukraine. "Russia signs agreements then does everything within its power to undermine them," she said. She told Moscow: "Stop arming the separatists. Stop sending hundreds of heavy weapons across the border in addition to your troops. Stop pretending you are not doing what you are doing."The Kremlin continues to deny that it is supporting the separatists with troops and weapons, and Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin dismissed Power's comments as "offensive".After speaking to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, US Vice-President Joe Biden warned in a statement: "If Russia continues to violate the Minsk agreements, including the most recent agreement signed on February 12, the costs to Russia will rise."The rebels claim that at least 80 per cent of Debaltseve is now under their control, including the police and railway stations. The city's military headquarters has also been surrounded, according to some reports.Most of Debaltseve's 25,000 residents have been evacuated, says the BBC, but about 7,000 civilians are still believed to be trapped by the fighting.Speaking at a press conference in Budapest, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he hoped the Ukrainian authorities were "not going to prevent the Ukrainian soldiers from laying down their weapons".At least 5,600 people have been killed since the conflict first started in April last year, according to the UN.

Ukraine ceasefire defied '130 times' as arms pull-out stalled

17 February

The ceasefire in Ukraine has been violated more than 130 times since it came into effect at the weekend, according to the two sides fighting in the conflict.

Kiev has accused pro-Russian rebels of 112 attacks on Ukrainian troops, killing five people and wounding 25, while the rebels claim Ukraine has violated the truce 27 times.

Some of the fiercest fighting has been taking place in Debaltseve, an eastern town that separatists claim is not included in the peace deal struck in Minsk, Belarus, between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko.

Up to 7,000 Ukrainian troops are trapped in the town by a circle of separatists, says Sky News. The rebels have said they will allow them to evacuate if they leave their weapons behind, but Kiev has rejected the offer, telling reporters that Debaltseve "is ours" under the terms of the Minsk agreement.

A spokeswoman for the US State Department said attacks had also been reported by monitors in Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk and Donetsk city.

Ukrainian military and the rebels promised to begin withdrawing heavy guns and rocket systems by today, but both sides have refused until a full ceasefire is in effect.

"How can we pull back weapons if the rebels are trying to attack us with tanks and are constantly firing at us?" said Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military.

Meanwhile, footage posted on YouTube by a British freelance reporter for Russian state television channel Zvezda appeared to show Russian tanks near the front line.

Experts have told The Times they are T72 B3s, the most recent variant produced for the Russian Army, again "calling into question whether Moscow is intervening directly in the conflict".

Meanwhile, the EU has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia. Five Moscow officials, including two deputies to Russia's minister of defence, and several separatist leaders have been added to a list of sanctioned individuals.

Ukraine crisis: is the ceasefire holding?

16 February

The ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels has "broadly been observed" since it began on Saturday night at midnight local time (10pm GMT), the BBC reports, but fighting has continued around the disputed town of Debaltseve.

The town sits on a strategic road and rail hub directly between the two "people's republics" of Luhansk and Donetsk and has been the target of pro-Russian rebels' main offensive over the past month.

Separatist leaders contend that the deal struck in Minsk, Belarus, between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko does not apply to Debaltseve because the town falls within rebel-controlled territory.

"Of course we can open fire [on Debaltseve]. It is our territory," said Eduard Basurin, a senior rebel commander. "The territory is internal: ours. But along the line of confrontation there is no shooting."

Debaltseve was the subject of greatest contention during the peace marathon talks last week overseen by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande. According to The Times, Putin and Poroshenko spent about "half of their discussions" arguing over whether the small town was or was not surrounded by separatists.

Alexander Zakharchenko, the prime minister of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic reiterated the claim on Saturday and said that any attempt by Ukrainian government troops to withdraw from the area would be considered an act of aggression.

The continued fighting "makes a mockery" of the deal to end the conflict, which has killed more than 5,000 people since it began last spring, The Times concludes.

Rather than respecting the truce, both sides "appeared to be using the ceasefire to strengthen their positions", The Guardian says.

According to Luhansk governor Gennady Moskal, fighting has decreased since the agreement was struck, but a "complete ceasefire has not happened."

Shelling continues ahead of ceasefire deadline

13 February

Shelling has continued in eastern Ukraine, despite the peace deal reached by leaders in Minsk on Thursday.

A ceasefire is set to begin across the east, including the rebel-held areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, at midnight local time (10pm GMT) on Saturday night.

BBC correspondents in Donetsk reported new shelling this morning, although they said it sounded less intense than earlier in the week and said there had been no confirmed reports of casualties.

Following 17 hours of overnight talks, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko also agreed to weapon withdrawals and prisoner exchanges.

But many are sceptical about how long the truce can last.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who attended the talks alongside French President Francois Hollande, has spoken only of a "glimmer of hope" and has threatened Russia with further sanctions if the deal is not respected.

Daily Telegraph correspondents in eastern Ukraine yesterday witnessed heavy weaponry heading in the direction of Debaltseve, Donetsk, suggesting separatist forces are "preparing a last push to finish off the beleaguered Ukrainian garrison there before the ceasefire".

Poroshenko, who had tried to secure an immediate ceasefire, said he feared the separatists would use the two days before the truce deadline to further their gains. He even claimed that "Russian-backed terrorists" had begun an offensive operation immediately after the deal was signed.

"There may well be a kind of peace in Ukraine over the coming days, but it will be on terms largely set by the Kremlin," says The Times.

The newspaper points out that no deadline has been set for the withdrawal of nine thousand Russian troops believed to be on Ukrainian soil, nor was there any mention of Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow last year.

Merkel and Hollande invested "herculean efforts into preventing, at any cost, the outbreak of a major war in Europe", says the Times.

"It was sensible to make the attempt. The outcome, however, has merely delayed violence until later in the year when Ukraine will try to close its eastern border with Russia."

Ukraine ceasefire agreed after marathon Minsk talks

12 February

A ceasefire in eastern Ukraine has been agreed following marathon all-night negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Leaders from Germany and France also joined the two sides in Minsk, Belarus, for a meeting that lasted around 17 hours.

The ceasefire will begin on Sunday as part of what French President Francois Hollande described as a "serious deal". Putin said they had "managed to agree on the main issues", including the withdrawal of heavy weapons. Pro-Russian rebels have also accepted the deal, according to those at the meeting.

A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel tweeted: "After 17 hours, negotiations in Minsk have finished: ceasefire from Feb. 15 at zero hours, then withdrawal of heavy weapons. Therein lies hope."

According to Reuters, a joint declaration distributed by the Kremlin stated that the four leaders had also committed to "respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

Kiev has long accused Moscow of arming pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, a claim that Putin denies.

Nearly 5,500 people have died in the conflict since April last year, with fresh clashes taking place yesterday.

The overnight negotiations were expected to focus on securing a ceasefire, withdrawing heavy weapons and creating a demilitarised zone.

"The urgency felt by all sides appeared to be underlined by the extraordinary length and discomfort of the talks," says The Guardian.

Seven hours in, Ukrainian presidential aide Valeriy Chaly posted a Facebook message saying that a "battle of nerves" was underway. He added: "We should not leave here without an agreement on an unconditional ceasefire."

During a break this morning, Poroshenko told reporters that Russia had put forward "unacceptable" conditions.

The BBC says there was "little warmth" between Putin and Poroshenko as they shook hands ahead of the summit. A photo later emerged of Putin snapping a pencil in half.

On his arrival last night, Poroshenko said the "entire world is waiting to see whether the situation moves toward de-escalation, weapons pullback, ceasefire, or... spins out of control".

Barack Obama calls Vladimir Putin on eve of Minsk summit

11 February

US President Barack Obama has phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin in a last-minute plea for Moscow to accept the diplomatic peace plan for Ukraine being put forward by European leaders.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande will meet the leaders of Russia and Ukraine in the Belarusian capital Minsk today in a bid to reach a peace deal.

According to the White House, Obama used yesterday's phone call to underscore the importance of ongoing discussions to reach a peaceful resolution.

He reportedly warned Putin that if Russia continues its "aggressive actions" in Ukraine, including sending troops, weapons and financial support to the separatists, the costs for Russia will rise.

A statement from the Kremlin, published by Russia Today, said that Putin gave a detailed assessment of the situation in south-east Ukraine.

"The presidents of Russia and the United States have emphasised the importance of a political – through dialogue – resolution of Ukraine's internal conflict, the speedy cessation of bloodshed, and the protection of the legitimate rights of all Ukrainian citizens without exception, including in the south-east," said the statement.

The BBC says there has been further "intense fighting" ahead of today's talks, with both sides attempting to make territorial gains before any possible peace agreement.

The Minsk summit is expected to focus on securing a ceasefire, withdrawing heavy weapons and creating a demilitarised zone.

According to the UN, nearly 5,500 people have died in the conflict since April last year, including the deaths of 298 people aboard flight MH17. Nearly 13,000 people have been wounded, including 153 children.

The European Union has announced new sanctions against Russian officials and Ukrainian militias, but has postponed them for a week, pending the Minsk peace talks.

EU leaders have urged the US to hold off on sending arms and equipment to Kiev forces, a move that Obama says he is yet to rule out.

Ukraine crisis: US won't rule out supplying weapons to Ukraine

10 February

President Barack Obama accused Vladimir Putin of attempting to redraw Europe’s borders "at the barrel of a gun" and confirmed that the Pentagon is still considering sending weapons to Ukraine.

"If diplomacy fails, what I've asked my team to do is to look at all options [...] and the possibility of lethal defensive weapons is one of those options being examined," Obama said.

The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, who is leading the latest peace efforts alongside French president Francois Hollande, met Obama in Washington to discuss the details of the proposed plan. She remains opposed to arming the rebels, fearing an escalation of the conflict.

Merkel and Hollande will meet the leaders of Russia and Ukraine in Minsk later this week in an attempt to broker a new peace deal and bring an end to almost a year of fighting that has claimed the lives of more than 5,300 civilians.

"I would not be able to live with [myself] not having made this attempt," Merkel said. However, she warned that the deal is "anything but an assured success. I have to be very clear about this," the Times reports.

In a separate development, the European Union has agreed to impose further sanctions on Russian and th pro-Russian rebel leadership in Ukraine, but has agreed to put them on hold until after the summit in Minsk in order to give the peace effort a chance.

Putin's spokesperson hit back at media allegations that Russia was being threatened with sanctions. "Nobody has ever talked to the president in the tone of an ultimatum – and could not do so even if they wanted," he said.

Details of the proposed deal have not been made public as they continue to be negotiated, but the plan is believed to include an immediate ceasefire and a 30- to 45-mile demilitarised zone around the current front line.

Meanwhile, intense fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, with Russian separatists claiming to have surrounded the strategic town of Debaltseve, near the rebel-held city of Donetsk. At least nine Ukrainian soldiers and seven civilians have reportedly died there since Sunday, the BBC reports.

Ukraine crisis: Minsk summit 'last chance' for peace

9 February

Leaders from Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine are planning to meet in Belarus this week in an ongoing attempt to secure a peace deal and an end to fighting in eastern Ukraine.

The planned Minsk summit follows a period of high-level diplomatic negotiations led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande. The pair travelled to Kiev and Moscow last week to hold talks with presidents Putin and Poroshenko.

Merkel is currently in Washington to discuss the details of the agreement with President Barack Obama. President Francois Hollande warned that the summit would be "one of the last chances for peace".

Britain continues to be absent in the diplomatic efforts, but foreign secretary Phillip Hammond told Sky News that Putin was behaving like a "mid-20th century tyrant" over Ukraine.

Details of the proposal have not been made public, but it is thought to include the establishment of a demilitarised zone at the current front line.

Meanwhile, Washington is currently considering arming the Ukrainian rebels, a move strongly opposed by the German chancellor. Merkel's position on the matter has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans who are calling for a tougher international response to Russian aggression, the BBC reports.

"At the end of the day, to our European friends, this is not working. You can go to Moscow until you are blue in the face," said Senator Lyndsey Graham.

Senator John McCain echoed her concerns. "The Ukrainians are being slaughtered and we're sending them blankets and meals. Blankets don't do well against Russian tanks."

However, Secretary of State John Kerry sought to put an end to rumours of an international diplomatic rift. "I keep hearing people trying to create one. We are united, we are working closely together," he said.

The conflict in eastern Ukraine has left 5,300 people dead and forced 1.5 million people to flee their homes. The Kremlin stands accused of arming the rebel militia, a claim it continues to deny.

Analysts warn that sending arms to Ukraine poses a serious risk of escalating the conflict as it would undoubtedly prompt a knee-jerk reaction from Putin. "Pushing a nuclear-armed Russia into a corner would be playing with fire," argues John Mearsheimer in the New York Times.

Ukraine crisis: peace talks begin in Moscow to prevent 'total war'

6 February

The leaders of France and Germany are due to hold talks in Moscow today in an attempt to halt the escalating crisis in eastern Ukraine.

This follows a surprise trip to Kiev by Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Francois Hollande, where a peace proposal was presented to Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko. He warned that his country was at a "very critical moment in our history".

"Peace is threatened at the frontiers of Europe," said President Hollande. "In the space of a few months, we have moved from a dispute to a conflict and from a conflict to war. We are now in a war, a war that can be total". He went on to warn that diplomacy "cannot go on indefinitely".

A Kremlin spokesperson said that Putin would be willing to discuss "the fastest possible end to the civil war in south-eastern Ukraine", according to the BBC. The trip to Russia will be Chancellor Merkel's first visit since the conflict began last year.

Moscow stands accused of arming the rebels, a claim it continues to deny. In a recent press conference, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenuk said it was "crystal clear" Russian soldiers were fighting in his country, and offered to lend President Putin his glasses, the BBC reports.

The fighting between Russian rebels and the Ukrainian forces in the east of the country has killed more than 5,400 people and forced over 1.2 million Ukrainians to flee their homes. The conflict in Luhansk and Donetsk has intensified in recent weeks following a rebel offensive.

The peace talks come as Nato announced it was bolstering its military presence in Eastern Europe with its largest reinforcement since the end of the Cold War.

The terms of the proposed peace deal include an immediate ceasefire and the possible deployment of UN troops. However, "chances for a quick diplomatic solution appeared slim," says the Wall Street Journal, as both sides disagree "sharply" on what the peace deal should look like.

Rebel leaders, who will not be represented at the talks in Moscow, say they will only agree to a ceasefire only if the Ukrainian military withdraws first. Yatsenyuk said that Kiev would not sign a deal that "undermines the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, and its European future".

Ukraine has renewed its appeal to the west for military aid, but the Kremlin warned that any such assistance would be viewed as an escalation in the conflict and a direct threat to Russian security. Washington is now considering whether to send lethal aid to the Ukrainian military – a move which raises fears of a direct military confrontation between Russia and the West.

US Secretary of State John Kerry was also in Kiev this week, holding separate talks with Poroshenko, but there is some uncertainty over the extent of Washington's role in the current round of negotiations. Kerry said that while the US was pushing for a diplomatic solution, they would turn a blind eye to Russian aggression.

Meanwhile, David Cameron's absence from the crucial talks has not gone unnoticed at home. "Where is Britain?” General Sir Richard Shirreff, a former British commander in Nato said in The Times. "Where is Cameron? He is clearly a bit player. Nobody is taking any notice of him. He is now a foreign policy irrelevance."