Russia, France, Germany, Ukraine to hold summit to discuss peace in Donbass
(Baonghean) - After more than 3 years, for the first time, the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine have confirmed that they will attend the "Normandy Four" Summit in Paris (France) next month, to promote a peaceful solution in an effort to end the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
The summit comes after major progress in talks since the summer, which have led to the disengagement of troops in some tense frontline areas, opening a new stage in the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.
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| Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: Getty |
The meeting in Paris will be the latest move in a push by France and its European Union (EU) allies to warm relations between Kiev and Moscow since Vladimir Zelensky became President of Ukraine.
The more than five-year conflict in eastern Ukraine between separatists and Ukrainian government forces - the longest conflict in European history since World War II - has claimed more than 13,000 lives.
The Normandy Four, comprising France, Russia, Germany and Ukraine, was formed on the occasion of the anniversary of D-Day (the day the Allied forces landed on the Normandy coast, northern France, officially launching the attack on Nazi Germany). It has made initial progress in ceasefire negotiations, but its influence has waned as the conflict continues. The group's last summit was held in October 2016 in Berlin.
This summit takes place in Paris, France with the process of ending the Ukraine conflict seen as a major challenge for President Emmanuel Macron in his efforts to improve EU relations with Russia.
France, Germany and other EU allies have previously insisted that the Kremlin must fully implement the terms of the Minsk Agreement, including withdrawing all military forces from Ukrainian territory and returning border control to Kiev. However, Russia has denied its military presence in eastern Ukraine.
Relations between Ukraine and Russia have collapsed since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014. Efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine began to show signs of improvement after President Vladimir Zelensky came to power with a pledge to end the simmering conflict.
Since then, President Zelensky has increased his connections, had phone calls with President Vladimir Putin, and successfully exchanged 35 prisoners with Russia...