On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with the presidents of Ukraine and Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, in separate conversations to discuss the ongoing Donbas conflict.
Merkel and Macron first spoke with Zelensky to discuss the implementation of the Minsk Agreement to peacefully resolve the conflict. Afterwards, they talked to Putin to urge him to advance the peace talks.
Zelensky, in a tweet, noted the constructive discussion with Merkel and Marcon on enhancing negotiations to end the war in Donbas and discussed preparations for Normandy Summit. He further reaffirmed that Ukraine, Germany, and France “stand for agreeing on coordinated successive steps that will ensure peace.” The Ukrainian President’s office also confirmed that the four countries could soon hold the talks in the Normandy format, which involves the foreign ministers of all four countries.
Similarly, in an official statement, Kremlin expressed concern over the situation in Ukraine and called for a summit to discuss measures to end the conflict. As per the statement, Putin, Merkel, and Macron noted the importance of implementation of the 2015 Minsk agreement and referred to it as the “only possible basis for settlement.”
The leaders have reportedly instructed their political advisors and foreign ministers to communicate and step up efforts in the Normandy Four format. However, the Kremlin’s statement did not mention if Ukraine would participate in the prospective foreign ministers meeting.
The German and the French governments have previously mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine over the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which began after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Over 13,000 people have lost their lives in the war and the 2015 Minsk Protocol has failed to put an end to hostilities.
Tensions in the region escalated further this year when Russia resorted to military build-up on the Ukrainian border, though it recalled its troops after a few weeks. While Russia has accused Ukraine of not abiding by the peace agreement, Ukraine has accused Russia of aggravating the conflict in the Donbas region by supporting separatists.
Although Merkel’s Steffen Seibert, did confirm the plans for a four-way meeting, the leaders failed to decide on a date. The latest talks come ahead of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel’s visit to Kyiv on Tuesday.
Merkel and Macron Discuss Donbas Conflict With Zelensky and Putin
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the conflict in the Donbas region and probable solutions with their Russian and Ukrainian counterparts.
October 12, 2021
SOURCE: ATLANTIC COUNCIL