Ukraine admits difficulty maintaining Western support

(Baonghean.vn)- On September 6, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for Kiev to maintain Western support in the fight against "Russian aggression" and that a full-scale "invasion" from Russia cannot be ruled out.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko speaks at a military parade marking Ukraine's Independence Day in Kiev on August 24, 2016. Photo: Reuters.

"Ukraine will continue to need strong international support in its fight against Russian aggression. However, securing that support is becoming increasingly difficult for our diplomats due to different goals and subjective factors," Poroshenko said at the opening of the parliament session in September.

The Ukrainian president added that Europe's internal strength was being tested by external problems such as the migrant crisis and militant attacks, warning that elections in 2017 could see political forces willing to compromise to keep the Kremlin in power.

The Ukrainian leader’s comments come as the European Union (EU) is divided over whether to continue imposing sanctions on Russia, which have caused economic damage to both sides. Ukrainian lawmakers have previously expressed concern that the rise of populism in Europe and the UK’s exit from the EU could weaken the bloc’s support for Kiev.

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia reached a peak last August after Moscow accused Kiev of planning an attack in Crimea.

Lan Ha

(According to Reuters)