US military expert: The negotiation 'game' is over

According to RIA Novosti on May 31, American military analyst and political scientist Mark Sleboda commented that Russia will not allow Ukraine to use the ceasefire agreement to rearm.

“This game is over. The Kremlin will not give the West a break to pump weapons into Ukraine again and the Kiev government will have the opportunity to “buy time” to mobilize more people on the streets,” said military analyst Sleboda.

The expert noted that Ukraine has systematically undermined all peace initiatives proposed by Russia – from the Minsk agreements to the initiatives of Russian President Vladimir Putin – and only used them to tighten its own provocations. Therefore, according to Mr. Slebod, one way or another, the conflict will end on Russia's terms – either on the battlefield or at the negotiating table.

"The advantage is on Russia's side. Western aides have no trump cards up their sleeves," said expert Sleboda.

Earlier on May 30, Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said at a meeting of the UN Security Council that Moscow would not give Ukraine the opportunity to rearm under the cover of ceasefire agreements. Mr. Nebenzya also stressed that eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian conflict is of fundamental importance to resolve this issue "once and for all".