Putin reconsiders military action in Ukraine

In an act of support for the Ukrainian government’s peace attempts, Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to withdraw a decree that authorizes the use of military force in Ukraine.

Putin also reassured the Ukrainian people that he will continue to offer his support to ethnic Russians.

During an official visit to Austria, the Russian president commented on his decision: ‘The cancellation of this decision doesn’t mean that we’re not willing to observe the situation in Ukraine very carefully. We’ll definitely protect the ethnic Russians in the country and the Ukrainian people that feel connected to the great Russian people, language and culture.’

As for the week-long ceasefire, Putin expressed his opinion that the term may be too short.

However, the truce may now be over after Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko, declared that he might end the ceasefire earlier after a military helicopter was shot down by separatists, killing nine government troops in the crash.