German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the crisis in the former Soviet republic will not be resolved by military means and that the peace agreement drafted in September needs to be put into effect.

Merkel, speaking at the Munich security conference Saturday, said she wanted peace in Europe with Russia.

The Guardian reports:

Germany has opposed aiding Ukrainian troops for fear of worsening the conflict, which has already cost more than 5,000 lives, but the idea has many supporters in Washington.

“I cannot imagine any situation in which improved equipment for the Ukrainian army leads to President Putin being so impressed that he believes he will lose militarily,” Merkel said. “I have to put it that bluntly.”

Disagreement has emerged between Europe and the US about how best to confront Putin as Moscow-backed rebels make gains in eastern Ukraine. Barack Obama is under pressure from some in Congress to send weapons to Kiev.

Also in Munich, NATO’s top military commander, U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, confirmed his position that the West should consider giving weapons to the Ukrainian army.

Read more here.

— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

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#angela merkel#kiev#nato#ukraine#vladimir putin