The Ukrainian government has imposed a state of emergency across its embattled eastern region - and placed the entire country on high alert.<br /><br />It follows a new offensive by separatist rebels, who Ukraine says are backed by Russia.<br /><br />Russia and the West are now trading accusations after the worst violence since a September ceasefire in Ukraine.<br /><br />But as the war of words escalates, are the chances of a negotiated settlement drifting further away?<br /><br />Host: Shiulie Ghosh<br /><br />Guests:<br /><br />Petro Burkovskiy, from the Analysis and Information Division at the National Institute for Strategic Studies, in Kiev. <br /><br />Kurt Volker, former US ambassador to NATO and executive director for the McCain Institute for International Leadership, in Washington, DC.<br /><br />Dmitry Babich, a political analyst and journalist for the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow.
