Cautious optimism on Ukraine after Paris summit

The Normandy group (France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine) held a meeting in Paris on 2 October 2015 to discuss the progression of the Minsk II agreement signed in February 2015 to bring back peace to Ukraine's eastern region. French president François Hollande stated that the Minsk peace process would run into 2016, as it would take time to organise elections in Ukraine that respected international standards.

Separatists from the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine announced on 6 October the decision to postpone local elections scheduled for later in the month. The move was welcomed by the West as a sign of progress in the peace process.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Statement by the Spokesperson on the agreement reached within the Trilateral Contact Group on the withdrawal of weapons in eastern Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-statement-by-the-spokesperson-on-the-agreement-reached-within-the-trilateral-contact-group-on-the-withdrawal-of-weapons-in-eastern-ukraine/

The Moscow Times, 04.10.15: Elections, Cease-Fire Dominate Ukraine Summit http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/elections-cease-fire-dominate-ukraine-summit/536925.html

The Wall Street Journal, 02.10.15: Merkel, Hollande Talk of Syria, Ukraine With Putin http://www.wsj.com/articles/merkel-hollande-talk-of-syria-ukraine-with-putin-1443814443

Euronews, 02.10.15: Paris hosts Ukraine summit as Syria simmers in the background http://www.euronews.com/2015/10/02/paris-hosts-ukraine-summit-as-syria-simmers-in-the-background/

BBC News, 02.10.15: Syria focus at Paris talks with Russia and Ukraine http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34421163

EurActiv, 03.10.15: Paris summit decides Ukraine’s peace process to run into next year http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/paris-summit-decides-ukraines-peace-process-run-next-year-318206

EUObserver, 03.10.15: Paris talks end in Russia-Ukraine 'truce' https://euobserver.com/foreign/130535

EurActiv, 07.10.15: West welcomes decision by separatists to postpone Donbas election http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/west-welcomes-decision-separatists-postpone-donbas-election-318287

The Wall Street Journal, 06.10.15: Russia-Backed Rebels in Ukraine to Delay Disputed Elections http://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-backed-rebels-in-ukraine-to-delay-disputed-elections-1444140302

EUObserver, 07.10.15: EU and US hail implementation of Ukraine 'truce' https://euobserver.com/foreign/130584

EU: EEAS: Statement, 06.10.15: Statement by the Spokesperson on the holding of the local elections in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2015/151006_01_en.htm

BBC News, 05.10.15: Ukraine crisis: OSCE encouraged as rivals confirm pullback http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34442127

Deutsche Welle, 06.10.15: Ukraine rebels push back controversial elections http://dw.com/p/1GjaB

Sputnik International, 06.10.15: Kiev Canceling Anti-Terrorist Operation in East to Postpone Local Elections http://sputniknews.com/europe/20151006/1028100045/kiev-dpr-lpr-elections-postpone.html

BBC News, 06.10.15: Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian rebels 'delay disputed elections' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34457317

EurActiv, 15.10.15: [Opinion] For Ukraine, a Grand Bargain is still elusive http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/ukraine-grand-bargain-still-elusive-318532

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

EUObserver, 28.10.15: Ukraine far from normal, despite EU-brokered ceasefire https://euobserver.com/foreign/130861

EUObserver, 02.11.15: Kiev's call for EU mission falling on deaf ears https://euobserver.com/foreign/130926

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