CIS ex-defense ministers warn against escalation in Ukraine
MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia is putting out the fire of a civil war started in Ukraine by extremists and nationalists, and veteran military chiefs from the CIS countries must contribute to the cause, members of the CIS Council of Defense Ministers' international club said at a meeting at the Russian Public Council on Wednesday.
"The situation in Ukraine has shown that the geopolitical fight is going on at a rising pace, and we, veteran military chiefs from the Commonwealth states, must interact with all the healthy forces to prevent an escalation of tensions in Ukraine," former Armenian defense minister Lt. Gen. Vagarshak Arutiunian said in his speech.
Soviet Army veterans have spoken out against the war in Ukraine, he said.
"The situation in Ukraine should be put out, not ignited, he said. Currently, Russia is putting out the fire that was started by extremists and nationalists," Arutiunian said.
Veteran organizations should take part in efforts to settle the situation in Ukraine, head of the Public Chamber Commission for National Security Alexander Kanshin said at the end of the meeting.