(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
As the West sharpens its rhetoric over Russia's role in the Ukraine conflict, Russia's President Vladimir Putin is offering an apparent peace gesture to the beleaguered nation.
Mr Putin has appealed for both sides to lay down their weapons after nearly five months of fighting that has killed more than two thousand people.
Both Ukraine and its Western allies have blamed Russia for the violence, saying it is trying to take back former Soviet lands.
But as Amanda Cavill reports, Mr Putin is offering a new plan as NATO -- including Australia as a so-called partner country -- gathers in Wales to deal with issues of global security.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
The message from Russia's President Vladimir Putin seems calculated at reducing the impact of the NATO meeting in Wales.
Details are sparse, but it involves both sides laying down their weapons and international monitors watching over the border in areas controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
It comes as Western leaders plan to address reports Russia is secretly shuttling troops and heavy weapons across that border into eastern Ukraine to help the separatists.
The 28 nation NATO alliance plans to unveil a new rapid response force for eastern Europe, which Russia has termed a direct national security threat.
United States President Barack Obama will lead the meeting and says it is up to NATO to send a clear message of support to Ukraine.
"Russians actions are hurting the Russian people, and, this week, NATO must send an unmistakable message in support of Ukraine as well. Our alliance has had a partnership with Ukraine for more than 20 years. Ukrainian forces have served with distinction in NATO operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan. So in Wales, we'll meet as an alliance with President (Petro) Poroshenko to show that our 28 nations are united in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and right to defend its territory."
The sudden glimmer of hope for an imminent end to Europe's worst crisis in at least two decades led to stocks in key markets rising and the Russian ruble rebounding.
But there are signs the truce deal, which Ukraine's Petro Poroshenko says was agreed on during telephone talks with Mr Putin, lacks universal support.
Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk says it is meant to confuse the issue and avert any European Union decision to unleash new sanctions against Russia.
Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is in Wales and says dealing with Russia will be high on the agenda.
She says that includes the question of whether to let him attend the G20 meeting in Brisbane in November.
Ms Bishop says, while Australia is the host of the meeting, all 28 NATO countries and the others attending the Wales meeting need to agree on the issue.
"It would be naive to think that the matter wouldn't come up for discussion at a meeting of the representatives and leaders of some 60 countries. But the point is this: There are a number of international meetings before the G20. We have UNGA Leaders Week. President Obama is calling a special meeting on the Wednesday of the UN General Assembly Leaders Week. There's APEC, there's the East Asia summit, a number of meetings before the G20. And I think we'll have a better idea of the international community's attitude and, indeed, President Putin's attitude to attending these meetings before we consider the G20. "
Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek says she supports a tough approach to Russia's stance in Ukraine, including blocking his attendance at the G20.
"We still see the Russians are denying that they've got troops in Ukraine, despite every clear evidence that they do. So there is a very serious international problem in Ukraine at the moment. NATO is an appropriate place to discuss it. The Foreign Minister's right in saying that this is not a decision for Australia alone. It's a decision that G20 nations would have to make."
On the eve of the NATO meeting, Australia announced it is toughening its approach to Russia's alleged involvement in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced Australia will ban uranium sales to Russia and support Ukrainian sovereignty by opening an embassy in Kiev.
He told parliament the Government is also considering short- and medium-term support to Ukraine and the interim embassy will help police investigating downed Flight MH17.
"This interim embassy will, amongst other things, support the nine Australian Federal Police investigators who remain in Ukraine. As well, along with our European partners and allies, we are considering short-term humanitarian assistance and non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine, and, in the medium term, we are considering civil and military capacity-building assistance to that country."
The United Nations says fighting in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 2,500 people and forced over 340,000 to flee their homes.
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