WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States should have a leading role in a diplomatic settlement of the crisis in Eastern Ukraine amid positive developments in the region, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan said.
“I think it is always in our interests to find a diplomatic and peaceful way out of these problems, and I do think that it is incumbent, certainly, on the United States as the leader of the Western and free world to help to shape this [peaceful resolution in Ukraine],” Brennan said at the US Council on Foreign Relations on Friday.
The ceasefire between the independence supporters in Eastern Ukraine and Kiev’s forces, stipulated in the Minsk agreement, came into force on February 15.
The truce is holding broadly along the contact line with the exception of some key strategic points where minor clashes occur, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said on Thursday.
Currently, the United State provides non-lethal assistance to Ukraine as well as training and advice.
On Wednesday, US President Barack Obama approved the allocation of $75 million to provide additional non-lethal equipment to Kiev, which includes drones, armored vehicles, night vision devices, first aid kits and military ambulances.
