The Yomiuri ShimbunHalting battles between the Ukrainian military and Kremlin-backed separatists was a step forward, but Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine must be stopped to ensure a sustainable ceasefire.

The Ukrainian military and the armed separatists, who have for months engaged in battles in eastern Ukraine, finally agreed to a ceasefire Friday, but the situation is fluid at best as sporadic fighting has since been reported.

Since the start of the fighting in April, more than 2,000 people have been killed. The Ukraine military suddenly found itself at a disadvantage around late August when Russian soldiers were discovered in Ukraine giving support to the separatists.

As it would be difficult for his military to place the eastern part of the country under its control, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was forced to agree to a ceasefire. Russia, on the other hand, apparently wanted to avoid widening the schism with the United States and European nations.

The military and the armed rebels should refrain from taking military actions and cooperate with the international team trying to investigate the downing of a Malaysian airliner, whose mission has been suspended due to fighting.

Whether the ceasefire will hold hinges on the outcome of talks between the Ukraine government and the rebels.

Poroshenko is reportedly set to approve a decentralization plan to allow the official use of the Russian language and partial liberalization of economic activities in two eastern provinces. The separatists, on the other hand, are demanding a “special status” regarding sovereignty, including the authority to create their own military and appoint prosecutors and judges on their own. A huge gap, therefore, remains between the two camps.

Ceasefire accord defective

The latest ceasefire accord is defective in that it does not mention the withdrawal of thousands of Russian troops from eastern Ukraine. Russia and the rebels are apparently aiming at maintaining their militaristic advantage in the east and eventually placing the area under Russia’s sphere of influence.

It is essential to ensure the withdrawal of Russian troops and end Russia’s provision of arms to the rebels to maintain the integrity of Ukrainian sovereignty and territory. The United States and European nations must keep the pressure on the administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin through strengthened sanctions.

And if Ukraine wants to prevent Russian troops from freely entering its territory, it must beef up its border control.

Last week’s summit meeting in Newport, Wales, of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization agreed to provide €15 million (about ¥2 billion) in aid to modernize the Ukrainian armed forces. The leaders also agreed to create a rapid-reaction force comprising thousands of troops to defend NATO member countries.

The measures are aimed at responding to the increased menace from Russia. It is only natural for NATO to continue its support for a struggling Ukraine.

Russia’s intervention in Ukraine is believed in part to have been a backlash from Moscow against NATO’s eastward expansion.

But changing the status quo on the strength of its military might will never be condoned. The international community should unite to deal with the Ukraine situation.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 7, 2014)Speech