Strains in Moscow-Kiev ties rise as Ukrainian soldier killed by pro-Russian separatists

Development comes seven days after Russia and Ukraine consented to end hostilities

As Washington cautioned Moscow against any assault on Kiev, a Ukrainian solder became a casualty in combat with pro-Russian secessionists.

According to foreign media reports, the Ukrainian military, while confirming the death, said that secessionists had attacked three times in the last 24 hours.

The secessionists allegedly made use of grenade launchers and light ammunition. The military furnished no additional specifics regarding the manner of the soldier’s death.

In Kiev, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in his New Year’s speech  that his basic objective was to conclude the conflict in the east.

Ukraine has been fighting a pro-Russian rebellion in two separatist regions on Russia’s borders since the last eight years, when the latter seized Kiev’s Crimean region.

Pressure in Russo-Ukrainian ties has built up lately, with Moscow building up troops in proximity to Kiev’s borders.

Moscow is alleged by the West to be preparing an assault.

The US president this week pressurized his Russian counterpart with a serious economic embargo if it undertook an assault, in his second telephonic conversation with the latter in a little over three weeks.

Putin stated that an anti-Russian embargo would be a huge blunder.

Global watchers stated on December 22 that Moscow and Kiev had assented to end hostilities, but before 24 hours Ukraine and the secessionists alleged that both parties had breached the agreement.

The casualty involving the soldier on Saturday was the maiden one since both parties had assented to end hostilities.

Every cessation of hostilities, like the previous one consented to in mid-2020, collapsed.

The war on Kiev’s eastern border has claimed casualties in excess of 13,000 to date.