WHAT'S THE ISSUE?
As the conflict in Ukraine enters its fourth week, any possibility of a diplomatic solution still appears some way off.
In the wake of almost unanimous condemnation in Europe and the West, the Kremlin maintains it must continue military action.
So, is there any hope for a diplomatic solution? Is there really any common ground between the Russian and Ukrainian governments on which to build a peaceful future for the region.
Here, Stephen Cole hears from Sergei Markov, a former member of the Russian duma and spokesperson for Vladimir Putin, and Oleksiy Honcharuk, former prime minister of Ukraine under President Zelenskyy.
MEET THE EXPERTS:
Sergei Markov is a doctor of political science and assistant professor at Moscow State University. He is a former spokesman for President Vladimir Putin and former member of Russia's state duma, representing Putin's United Russia party.
Oleksiy Honcharuk served at prime minister of Ukraine under President Zelenskyy from August 2019 to March 2020. Aged just 25 at the time, he is the youngest person to have held the post in Ukrainian history. Before that he worked as a lawyer and the deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA
- Former prime minister of Lithuania and now MEP, Andrius Kubilius examines Europe's reliance on Russian oil and gas, and how that has played into the conflict
- One of Ukraine's biggest rock stars, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk describes what life is really like for the people of Ukraine, and what he's doing to improve morale.