Like most, I wasn't very surprised to hear that the ceasefire negotiated by the French and Germans with the Russians in Ukraine was short-lived. Ceasefires seem to be short-term fixes which, while avoiding bloodshed for a short period, ultimately tend to fail in resolving what brought about the conflict concerned in the first place. To resolve this conflict, it seems that a long-term agreement needs to be reached between the Russian and Ukrainian governments in respect of the rebellion of members of the Russian minority against the Ukrainian government.
It is disappointing, and a bad omen, that the United Nations (UN) seems to have played little major role in this conflict- undermining the organisation's importance in resolving international conflicts. I believe that the UN should be rallied to support the integrity of Ukraine as a sovereign state, while the rights of Russians to be treated equally with other Ukrainians should also be reasserted by the Ukrainian government to satisfy Russian concerns. However, first and foremost, the stability and integrity of Ukraine should be restored- by global, UN-backed, military action if need be. Once this has been achieved, long-term agreement should be sought. Potentially, if a desire for unification with Russia proves to be strong and enduring amongst those living in Eastern Ukraine, referenda should be held so as to respect the wishes of Ukraine's Russian minorities.
