(VOVworld) – The Geneva agreement to solve Ukraine’s crisis is on the verge of collapse due to differences on how to implement it. Parties concerned have blamed one another instead of acting in sync. Escalating tensions in Ukraine have signaled a more serious political crisis there.

Talks in Geneva last week demonstrated efforts by all parties to defuse tensions in Ukraine. But it is not easy to implement this agreement. A number of measures have been worked out including disarming armed groups and pardoning protestors who occupied government buildings in eastern Ukraine. However, these plans remain on paper only as implementation methods are being deviated.     

The Kiev government and separatists have failed to find a common voice. The protestors said they did not recognize the interim government and refused to leave government buildings until the interim government resigns. Meanwhile, the government of acting President Oleksandr Turchynov on Tuesday resumed a military operation against protestors instead of withdrawing troops from the eastern region and holding dialogue with political forces.

Escalating tensions

The decision was released just hours after US Vice President Joe Biden concluded a 2-day visit to Kiev. During the visit, Washington pledged its support for Kiev’s reform efforts with huge financial packages. Washington also conveyed a message that Moscow should stop talking and start acting. Washington has accused Russia of using its army to incite protestors in eastern Ukraine and the presence of 40,000 Russian soldiers at Ukraine’s border is evidence of Russian support for separatists there. Washington is considering new sanctions against Moscow if the latter does not act to improve the situation in Ukraine.

Russia has, meanwhile, denied its military intervention in Ukraine and accused the US and the Kiev government of intentionally misunderstanding the Geneva agreement. While the agreement calls on armed groups to give up their weapons, Kiev and Washington say only the citizens of Ukraine’s southeastern region, who are protecting their interests, should drop their weapons. Kiev and Washington have ignored provocative acts by right-wing extremists and nationalists in Ukraine.

Moscow says Kiev should cancel orders on the use of the army against the people, disarm all combat units of right-wing and extremist groups, and conduct constitutional reforms. However, it is deplorable that President Oleksandr Turchynov resumed the military operation in the eastern region while the US sent another warship to the Black Sea. Russia considers these moves evidence of the US “running the show in Ukraine”. Moscow says Washington should take responsibility for the crisis in Ukraine.

Not much time for a peace deal