Ukraine wants Western weaponry if Minsk deal fails - official

Soldiers march during Ukraine's Independence Day military parade in the centre of Kiev, Ukraine, August 24, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ukraine will renew its calls for lethal defensive weaponry from its Western allies if the Minsk peace deal fails, the country's top official to NATO said on Tuesday, urging help to reestablish control over its eastern border with Russia.

Providing lethal weapons to the Ukrainian army is one of the most sensitive issues for Western governments, Russia having warned this would mark a serious escalation of the conflict and pose a threat to its security.