WASHINGTON, July 1: Only Ukrainians can decide whether to extend a tenuous ceasefire, a US official has said, adding Washington would stand by whatever decision was made.
The truce between Kiev and the pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine’s east ran until 1900 GMT yesterday, but violence has rumbled on regardless, with no end in sight to months of fighting that has claimed some 450 lives.
After the deadline expired, there was no word from Ukrainian leaders, despite frantic calls with the leaders of Russia, France and Germany, on whether they would extend it or not.
“Whether to extend the ceasefire is a decision that Ukraine and only Ukraine will make. And we’d certainly support the decision, whatever decision that they make,” said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, yesterday.
She highlighted “ongoing reports of fighters from Russia and Russia-backed separatists continuing to attack Ukrainian government positions. There are still troops on the border.”
There was “a great deal more” Russia could do in order to ease tensions, she told reporters.
“The Ukrainians were the ones who called for the ceasefire and exhibited admirable restraint in trying to implement the ceasefire,” Psaki said.
“But there were steps that were taken from Russian-backed separatists that certainly didn’t abide by it.” (AGENCIES)
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