Pulling Ukraine closer than ever militarily to NATO, the embattled nation's president affirmed Thursday his desire to combat "Russian aggression" while expressing cautious optimism that peace, even if it's temporary, could soon be in reach, reports GHN based on CNN.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko spoke from the NATO summit in Wales about new steps strengthening his country's security partnership with the European-North American alliance following months of fighting against what he claims are Russian-backed -- despite Moscow's denials -- rebels.
This fighting has gone on for months in spite of rhetoric preaching peace from all sides and a host of diplomatic initiatives, the next of which is a meeting Friday in Belarus' capital that will include representatives from Ukraine, the rebels and Russia.
"As president of Ukraine, (I am) ready to do my best to stop the war," Poroshenko said. "And ... I have, I can say, a careful optimism for tomorrow's meeting ... in Minsk because beforehand (Russian and rebel leaders said) they are ready for an immediate ceasefire."
Standing alongside Poroshenko, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that "the best way forward would be to find a political solution." But he expressed reservations that Moscow's latest public comments on its desire for peace will be an different than its past ones, after which the violence has ratcheted up rather than slowing down.
"What counts is what is actually happening on the ground," said Rasmussen, who accused Russia of having thousands of troops inside Ukraine who have fired on Ukrainian military positions. "Previously, we have seen similar statements and initiatives. And they have actually just been smokescreens for continued Russian destabilization."