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Ukraine Peace Talks Under Way In Minsk

December 24, 2014
by RFE/RL

Ukrainian crisis talks have begun in Minsk, bringing together representatives of Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russian separatists, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The talks began during the early evening of December 24, several hours after they were originally due to start, after the late arrival of some negotiators.

A second round of talks is expected on December 26.

If the preliminary negotiations on December 24 are able to pave the way for a second meeting, diplomats say a final agreement could be signed on December 26.

But there are sharply contrasting views between the negotiating parties about Ukraine's future place in Europe and its system of government.

Those divisions could block a solution to the eight-month war.

Separatist leaders in Ukraine's eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk have declared their own republics and have said they will settle for no less than Ukraine becoming a loose federation in which they manage most of their own affairs.

Those separatist calls are backed firmly by Russia but have been rejected by Ukrainian nationalists who comprise an important part of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's government.

Meanwhile, the negotiations also could be complicated further by a vote from Ukraine's parliament on December 23 to abandon the country's neutral 'non-bloc' status and set a course for NATO membership.

That move was immediately denounced by Russia as 'unfriendly.'

But the U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said on December 23 that 'any decision on potential NATO membership is one for Ukraine and NATO to make.'

In Minsk on December 24, the initial negotiations were focusing on how to ensure a stable cease-fire in eastern Ukraine.

Heidi Tagliavini, the OSCE's lead figure since the talks began, has said the participants will discuss a pullback of heavy weaponry, a complete exchange of war prisoners, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.

Fighting between separatists and Ukrainian government forces in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 4,700 people since April.

The United Nations says more than 1,300 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine since the previous rounds of Minsk talks produced an often violated cease-fire agreement on September 5.

Based on reporting by AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-peace-talks-due-in-minsk/26760019.html

Copyright (c) 2014. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.