Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, has suggested that Moscow and Kiev make a “logical choice” to end the conflict.
“A negotiated outcome is a logical choice, but both sides have to come to that conclusion on their own,” Milley said on Tuesday when asked about likely outcomes of the Ukraine conflict as it enters its four-month.
Milley expressed concern about the possible escalation of the conflict.
“There's always a possibility of escalation. And we have to closely manage the escalation... and prevent this thing from expanding into something much more horrific than it already is,” he pointed out.
The top American general's suggestion for peace in Ukraine comes as Russian forces take partial control over a key industrial city in the country's east pushing Kiev's soldiers out as Moscow sends its troops deeper into the Donbas region.
In past days Ukrainian officials have admitted that the situation on the ground was “extremely bad” for Kiev's forces.
Russian troops launched a special operation in Ukraine in late February, following Kiev’s failure to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements, first signed in 2014, and Moscow’s eventual recognition of the Donbas republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.
The German- and French-brokered agreements were designed to give the breakaway regions special status within the Ukrainian state.
The Kremlin has since demanded that Ukraine officially declare itself a neutral country that will never join the US-led NATO military bloc.
Kiev claims the Russians' operation was completely unwarranted, dismissing reports it was making preparations to attack and regain control over the Donbas.
In the meantime, The Daily Beast reported on Monday that former US Special Forces were teaching "guerrilla war tactics" to civilians in Ukraine.
Russia has said US forces are coordinating military operations in Ukraine, insisting the move amounts to Washington’s direct involvement in military action against Moscow.