More arms not to help Ukraine fight pro-Russians: Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed her opposition to sending arms to Ukraine, saying it would not solve the crisis in the country's east.

“I understand the debate, but I believe that more weapons will not lead to the progress Ukraine needs. I really doubt that,” said Merkel at the 51st Munich Security Conference in the German city on Saturday.

Merkel, who has led western efforts to resolve the crisis through negotiations, expressed her opinion bluntly that “I cannot imagine any situation in which improved equipment for the Ukrainian army leads to [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin being so impressed that he believes he will lose militarily.” 

The remarks came a day after Merkel, along with French President Francois Hollande held "constructive" talks with Putin in the Russian capital Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

The German chancellor had also held talks with the Ukrainian president, Petro Poroshenko, along with Hollande in Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, for a peaceful solution to the surging conflict in eastern Ukraine on February 5.

The Ukrainian president and his Russian counterpart are also going to hold talks with the leaders of Germany and France by phone on Sunday in a bid to resolve the mounting conflict.

International efforts to forge a truce in eastern Ukraine have failed so far with Western governments accusing Russia of supporting the armed militancy against the Ukrainian government. Moscow denies the charges, saying Kiev must stop the suppression of the ethnic Russian population in the area.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, referring to the fate of these new Franco-German peace talks, said, "If this path is feasible, it will be decided in the next two or three days."

Similarly, Austria has opposed providing Kiev with more weapons in their fight against pro-Russia forces in the east of the country.

“I do not believe military action is the way to resolve conflict. I am opposed to sending arms,” the chancellor of Austria, Werner Faymann, was quoted as saying Saturday.

Stating, “We should not be building more walls but tearing them down,” Faymann added that the EU “needs to show Putin that it is interested in a fair cooperation.”

Ukrainian President’s demand

Petro Poroshenko urged the international community on Saturday to provide Kiev with military support in its battle against pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine.

“[The] Ukrainian question will remain unsolved as long as ... the people and politicians in Europe and in the whole world don't provide solid, practical support to strengthen Ukrainian independence politically, economically, but also militarily,” said Poroshenko at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

Poroshenko added, “We are an independent nation and we have a right to defend our people…Over the course of the offensive we have proved to be responsible and we will not use the defensive equipment for attack.” 

The armed conflict in east Ukraine has claimed the lives of more than 5,300 people according to the estimates made by the United Nations. Western governments keep accusing Russia of supporting the armed militancy against the Ukrainian government. Moscow denies the charges, saying Kiev must stop the suppression of the ethnic Russian population in the area.

MIS/NN/AS

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