Ukraine Crisis: Russia responds to end of cease-fire

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Ukraine Crisis: Russia responds to end of cease-fire

In a meeting with Russia’s Federal Ambassadors, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the Ukrainian President’s decision to end the ceasefire and said he would protect the rights of ethnic Russians in the country.  CCTV’s Natalie Powell reports from Moscow.

“Unfortunately, President Poroshenko has made a decision to resume a military operation. And we were not able, when I say “we” I mean both myself and my European colleagues, we were not able to convince him that the road to sustainable, solid and lasting peace cannot lead through war,” Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine Crisis: Russia responds to end of cease-fire

In a meeting with Russia's Federal Ambassadors, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the Ukrainian President's decision to end the ceasefire and said he would protect the rights of ethnic Russians in the country. CCTV’s Natalie Powell reports from Moscow.

The President had thrown his weight behind an extension of the ceasefire and was involved in hours of conversation with France, Germany and Ukraine. Seemingly responding to warnings by EU leaders that Russia must do more to stop the movement of weapons between its border with Ukraine, or face a fresh round of sanctions.

“This is more of a desire by political authorities in the EU and the U.S. to limit Russia’s activity in the Ukrainian conflict, they want Russia to de-escalate this conflict in a more active way,” Timur Nigmatullin, a Financial Analyst from Invest Café says.

Moscow appeared to be listening. On Monday night it invited observers to oversee its border with Ukraine. Ukraine’s President was not satisfied with developments for a peace plan and the ceasefire was called off. Therefore Russian sanctions could soon be back on the table, something that would not only damage Russia, but also those EU and U.S. firms with close links to the country.

“Imposing new sanctions targeted at certain sectors of the economy may harm that growth. Russia will also go into recession and its economy will shrink, but this effect will be mutual.” Timur Nigmatullin from Invest Café.
With the threat of more sanctions looming over Russia and the conflict in Ukraine once again picking up the pace. It seems uncertainty lies ahead not just for regional stability but also for the Russian economy.