This infographic shows how deadly the war in eastern Ukraine is
Ukrainian soldiers gather close to the frontline in the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltseve on Dec. 24, 2014.
A temporary ceasefire reportedly went into effect on Friday between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists near the besieged town of Debaltseve, allowing civilians trapped in the crosshairs to evacuate the area.
The focus of the war in eastern Ukraine, a 9-month-old conflict that’s devastated much of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, has now shifted to the strategic road and railway hub. There, rebels are looking to surround Ukrainian troops and extend their border.
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande are in Moscow today for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. All parties publicly insist on a diplomatic solution to the war, though some observers believe Putin is seeking to freeze the conflict and gain leverage over Kyiv.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry said during a working visit to Kyiv on Thursday the US has not yet ruled out the possibility of arming Ukraine — a fact that could further provoke Russia, which has been adamant against Western influence in the region.
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“The president is reviewing all of his options, among those options is the possibility of providing defensive systems to Ukraine,” Kerry said.
This graphic gives a brief overview of the war so far.