Minsk Talks last chance for peace in Ukraine
10:48 BERLIN
Expectations are high: This is scheduled for today in Minsk Summit as an important step towards a solution to the conflict in Ukraine – but it is still unclear whether the negotiations will take place at all. From eastern Ukraine fierce battles are reported meanwhile.
TRANSLATION – taggeschau.de
Spitzentreffen in MinskLetzte Chance für den Frieden?
A few hours before the planned summit with Ukraine crisis in the Belarusian capital, Minsk has come together in the morning, the so-called Contact Group to pave the way for the summit. The representatives of Ukraine, Russia, the separatists and the OSCE were parted at night after several hours of negotiations produced no tangible results.
The Separatists then dampened hopes of a quick deal. It was “too early to talk about a ceasefire,” said Denis Puschilin, negotiator of the pro-Russian separatists.The rebels had submitted proposals for an agreement to which must now be responding. Details he did not name.
A sticking point seems to be the ceasefire line.The Ukrainian leadership was recently agreed on a course in September. The separatists stressed their territorial gains made since then would have to be taken into account.
From eastern Ukraine fierce battles are meanwhile reported that dampened hopes of a cease-fire. The location is unclear, reports from the region are contradictory and can hardly check. But there seem to be many places along the front lines fighting. Around the city Kramatorsk should be under considerable pressure the government troops. Here, seven civilians and four soldiers were killed. In defense of the city Debaltseve for Ukrainian military details 19 soldiers were killed and more than 70 injured.
In parallel with the Minsk preliminary recruited many leaders to reach an agreement in Minsk. Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier appealed to Russia and Ukraine, the opportunity “by the forelock” to pack. Nothing is gained.Also, the Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko stressed that the Minsk meeting was perhaps the last chance for a lasting truce with the Russian-backed separatists.
According to Russian media is at the summit in Minsk but probably not signed a new agreement. According to the news agency RIA reported, citing a diplomat, there are no such plans. Was possible a joint statement. The central theme will be the establishment of a demilitarized zone, the report said.
Obama picks up the phone
US President Barack Obama sought on the eve of the summit to mediate. He telephoned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and called him to seize the opportunity for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Obama had “emphasized the importance of achieving a negotiated solution and implement based on the obligations of the Minsk Agreement,” the White House said with after the phone call. In addition, Obama has insisted on it again to respect “the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Ukraine.
If Russia, however, continue its “aggressive actions” in Ukraine, Moscow would “cost” to rise for the US president warned after presentation of the White House. Specifically, the US president Putin accused of sending troops, weapons and financial resources in the Ukraine to support the separatists.