A series of peace talks were scheduled in Minsk, Belarus, and Astana, Kazakhstan to try and broker a long-term agreement to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine. In the past 10 months, more than 4,800 people have been killed as pro-Russian separatists try to establish satellite republics carved out of Ukraine, which are loyal to the Kremlin.
The conflict is the worst between East and West since the end of the Cold War. It has economically isolated Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin as a result of sanctions, which, combined with the fall in oil and energy prices, have hurt Russians deeply with tightened borrowing, a devalued rouble and crippling interest rates.
The talks, however, have been postponed, adding to tension on the ground. In Donetsk, violence in the past few days has claimed the lives of at least three Ukrainian soldiers and the airport there is witnessing attacks.
The vacuum on the international stage is allowing tensions to increase. All sides need to get back to the table and start talking, otherwise the violence — as shown in the past — has the potential to spiral out of control.
