Kannike: Situation in east Ukraine could worsen in fall
Sulev Kannike, the Estonian ambassador to Kyiv, said the situation in the eastern part of the country is unlikely to take a turn for the worse after May 9, when the end of World War II is celebrated. He said the local elections in October could be the bigger trigger.
“He told ETV that the US military trainers in Ukraine are preparing the Ukrainian government forces. “The Ukrainian army wants to cross over to Western command tactics, strategy and weapons systems, and this will take more than one day,” he said.
Kannike said giving weapons to Ukraine will have little effect without the training.
Speaking about the Russian reaction to the US troops in Ukraine, Kannike said calling it a provocation is just political noise aimed to put more pressure on the country. The troops in Ukraine, as well as in Tapa are the political fruit of Russia's actions, Kannike added.
“It is clear that before fall – the local elections take place at the end of October – some reckoning or breaking point will take place when it turns out locals elections in east Ukraine can not take place on the conditions of Ukraine, with international observers and with Ukrainian politicians able to take part safely. Then there will be a political, and probably a military, decision to make,” he said.
Editor: J.M. Laats