Poland condemns Mariupol offensive
PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp
26.01.2015 14:42
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Poland condemns Mariupol offensive
Poland joins the international community in condemning violence in Mariupol as fighting escalates in eastern Ukraine.
A policeman passes between burnt cars which were destroyed in a shelling on 24 January in the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, 26 January 2015. At least 29 people were killed in a shelling of the port city of Mariupol with the Ukrainian government and the pro-Russian separatists blaming each other for the attacks. Photo: PAP/EPA/SERGEY VAGANOV
As Alicja Baczyńska reports, the international community has condemned the Saturday attack on the city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine, which left 30 people dead and dozens injured. The West, which holds the Russian-backed separatists responsible for the assault, is eyeing new sanctions against Moscow.
Earlier that weekend the separatist leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said the insurgents would no longer take part in ceasefire talks while a newly launched offensive would aim to drive out Ukrainian troops out of the area. Observers in Poland believe the crisis in Ukraine could be entering a new stage.
“Moscow would like to see Donbas (…) gain autonomy, which would be instrumental for Russia in exerting influence on Kyiv in the future,” political analyst Wojciech Konończuk, from the Centre for Eastern Studies says.