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MUNICH. — The just-concluded Munich Security Conference underlined international security co-operation, yet divergences over the Ukraine crisis remain — not only between the West and Russia, but also inside the Western camp.

The meeting, which closed Sunday, saw Europe and the United States at odds over whether to offer arms to the Ukrainian government to support its battle against independence-seeking insurgents in the eastern part of the country.

US Vice President Joe Biden told the conference that Washington was ready to offer support to Kiev so that the war-torn country can defend itself.

The US proposal has drawn rebukes from Germany, its long-time European ally.

“I am firmly convinced that this conflict cannot be solved by military means.

“This is why we have decided to concentrate on a diplomatic solution to this crisis,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had just returned from a trip to Russia together with French President Francois Hollande in a bid to broker a cease-fire in Ukraine.

The German leader was due to start a visit to the United States yesterday to continue her diplomatic efforts.

Different interests were behind divergences across the Atlantic, experts say. Tensions between the West and Russia have damaged the Russian economy. But at the same time, Europe is also affected.

Gu Xuewu, director of the Centre for Global Studies at Bonn University, has warned that to corner Russia would lead to a split of Europe.

“A collapsed Russia does not meet the interests of Europe,” he said.

In the past three days, over 400 diplomats, officials and experts gathered in the southern German city of Munich for the annual forum on global security. They shared views on the current situation and sought answers to challenges.

Participants noted that the past 12 months saw great changes in the security landscape of the world.

“Over the past 12 months, numerous crises have developed into crucial challenges and threats to international peace and security in ways that many decision makers and analysts did not see it coming,” said Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference, in a report titled “Collapsing Order, Reluctant Guardians.” — Xinhua.