| Author (Person) | Pothier, Fabrice |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Carnegie Europe |
| Series Title | Strategic Europe |
| Series Details | 13.07.17 |
| Publication Date | 13/07/2017 |
| Content Type | Journal | Series | Blog |
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Author argued that French President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to change Moscow’s position on the conflict in Ukraine in the summer of 2017 should be accompanied by bolder support for Kyiv. Two and a half years after Minsk II was signed with the aim of ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the accord has yet to produce substantial results. The Minsk process is running out of steam, not least because Russia has no intention of delivering on its commitments regarding Ukraine’s security. With both Berlin and Paris involved in the Normandy format talks with Ukraine and Russia, the election of Emmanuel Macron in 2017 could help solve today’s deadliest conflict in Europe. But for that to happen, the French president must be more ambitious. Subsequently, on the 24 July 2017, President Macron joined Angela Merkel, Petro Poroshenko and Vladimir Putin in a teleconference meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine. The detailed 'Normandy format' talks aimed to revitalise efforts to implement the Minsk agreements and finally bring about a lasting and peaceful solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The focus of the discussion was the practical implementation of the package of measures agreed in 2015 in Minsk, primarily a ceasefire, withdrawal of troops and political reforms. The ceasefire had been repeatedly violated. An addition new dimension of tension was the proclamation by Donetsk rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko on the 18 July 2017 of the the new state of the Federation of Malorossiya, or 'Little Russia'. |
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| Source Link | http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/71491?lang=en |
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| Countries / Regions | France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine |
