Ukraine accused Russia on Thursday of sending soldiers and weapons to help separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine launch a new offensive in a conflict that has killed more than 4,000 people. The United States has warned Russia the West might punish it further for its ‘military escalation’ of the crisis.
The G20 leaders summit in Brisbane is focused on boosting world growth, fireproofing the global banking system and closing tax loopholes for giant multinationals.
But with much of the economic agenda agreed and momentum building on other big issues after a breakthrough climate change deal signed last week at APEC between the US and China, security concerns are moving centre stage. Ukraine has not been a top focus during a pair of summits in Asia this past week, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said, although Obama did raise it briefly with Putin.
In Brisbane, Obama will be discussing his frustration over Ukraine with a key bloc including German chancellor Angela Merkel, French president Francois Hollande and British PM David Cameron. ‘They’ve been key towards sending a shared message to the Russians and the Ukrainian government,’ Rhodes told reporters. ‘So it will be an opportunity for him to check in with them.’ Increasing violence, truce violations and reports of unmarked armed convoys travelling from the direction of the Russian border have aroused fears that a shaky 5 Sept. truce could collapse.
The G20 leaders summit in Brisbane is focused on boosting world growth, fireproofing the global banking system and closing tax loopholes for giant multinationals.
But with much of the economic agenda agreed and momentum building on other big issues after a breakthrough climate change deal signed last week at APEC between the US and China, security concerns are moving centre stage. Ukraine has not been a top focus during a pair of summits in Asia this past week, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said, although Obama did raise it briefly with Putin.
In Brisbane, Obama will be discussing his frustration over Ukraine with a key bloc including German chancellor Angela Merkel, French president Francois Hollande and British PM David Cameron. ‘They’ve been key towards sending a shared message to the Russians and the Ukrainian government,’ Rhodes told reporters. ‘So it will be an opportunity for him to check in with them.’ Increasing violence, truce violations and reports of unmarked armed convoys travelling from the direction of the Russian border have aroused fears that a shaky 5 Sept. truce could collapse.