West vows ‘strong’ response if major Ukraine truce violation

Western leaders have called for a “strong reaction” from the international community to any major violation of a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine as they seek to further pressure Russia over the conflict. The leaders of the United States, Germany, France, Britain and Italy plus EU head Donald Tusk on Tuesday also argued for strengthening a mission charged with monitoring the ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weapons. In video talks on the conflict, the leaders restated their support for a February 12 truce between government forces and pro-Russian separatists, the French presidency said.

They agreed that a strong reaction from the international community would be necessary in the case of a major violation in the implementation [of the deal signed in the Belarus capital Minsk].

Statement

The leaders did not specify what a “major” break from the accord might be, nor what response it would provoke, but hinted at the possibility of further sanctions on Moscow, which the West and Kiev accuse of supporting the rebels with troops and weapons. Both the Ukrainian army and the rebels who took up arms after the ouster of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych claim to be upholding a commitment to move their artillery back from the frontline.

World Ukraine ceasefire