Ukraine – summary of developments in 2015 and 2016

Fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists has killed more than 9,000 people since April 2014 and injured more than 20,000. It has died down in recent months. Ukrainian President Poroshenko made a relatively upbeat speech at the start of 2016, saying that “Ukraine’s enemy” was “losing its willingness to continue its offensive.”

The situation could easily deteriorate, however, as it has done in the past, and Ukraine’s economy remains weak.

Some have suggested that a tacit deal might be possible between Russia and the West whereby Russian cooperation in Syria might coincide with compromises on Crimea and eastern Ukraine. This is not the UK government’s professed policy.