UKRAINE: THE INTENSE FIGHTING AROUND AVDIIVKA. WHY?

The new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has expressed strong condemnation of Russias actions in eastern Ukraine and warned that Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia will not be lifted until Crimea is returned to Kyiv. The United States calls on Russia and the combined Russian-separatist forces to fulfill their commitments in the Minsk agreements and fully restore and respect the ceasefire. The Minsk agreements require the disengagement of forces and withdrawal of heavy weapons from both sides of the contact line. This is the formula for a sustainable ceasefire. Pulling back forces and taking heavy weapons out of this area will save lives. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission must also be granted full, unfettered access. The presence of OSCE monitors can help calm tensions.

Ukrainian tanks outside an apartment block in Avdiivka, eastern Ukraine Source: AAP