West should consider all tools, including arms, for Ukraine - NATO general
BRUSSELS, March 22 (Reuters) - The West should consider using all its tools to help Ukraine, including sending defensive weapons, NATO's top military commander said on Sunday.
Asked whether he was in favour of sending defensive weapons to Ukraine, U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove told a Brussels conference: "What we see (is) diplomatic tools being used, informational tools being used, military tools being used, economic tools being used against Ukraine."
"And so we, I think, in the West should consider all of our tools in reply. Could it be destabilising? The answer is yes. Also, inaction could be destabilising," he said.
Here is today's map of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, according to the National Security and Defense Council (CLICK TO ENLARGE):
Artillery fire breaks out in east Ukraine
Donetsk, Ukraine, March 22, 2015 (AFP) -- Intensive artillery fire broke out Sunday near the rebel-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, apparently breaking an internationally brokered ceasefire between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian government, an AFP reporter said.
The sound of explosions began at 9:00 am (0600 GMT) and appeared to come from the area of Donetsk airport, a once important Ukrainian air hub which was captured by rebels in January and has been destroyed in fighting.
Under a ceasefire that took effect February 15 both sides were meant to withdraw all heavy weapons and to stop shooting. Sporadic clashes have continued near Donetsk and the government-held port city of Mariupol, but overall the rate of fighting has sharply declined.
Flash from Reuters:
NATO COMMANDER BREEDLOVE, ASKED ABOUT DEFENSIVE WEAPONS FOR UKRAINE, SAYS WEST SHOULD CONSIDER USING ALL ITS TOOLS