Ukraine: Outsiders smile, insiders cry secretly
French newspaper Le Monde commented that the current situation in Ukraine as well as the ceasefire is "a victory for pro-Russian forces, a great loss for Petro Poroshenko".
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President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko
Although the ceasefire agreement was signed on September 5, many places in eastern Ukraine have not yet quieted down, Kiev and separatists blame each other for violating the ceasefire.
French newspaper Le Monde commented that the current situation in Ukraine as well as the ceasefire is "a victory for pro-Russian forces, a great loss for Petro Poroshenko".
Le Monde's special correspondent commented: "The ceasefire agreed in Minsk on September 5th has acknowledged a winner in the war that has been tearing apart Eastern Ukraine for the past 5 months: Vladimir Putin. With massive reinforcements for the separatist forces, since mid-August, the Russian President has defeated the Ukrainian army and mentioned negotiating the status of the regions of Eastern Ukraine from a position of strength. The position of the loser now belongs to his Ukrainian counterpart."
The newspaper recalled that when he took office on May 25, President Poroshenko promised to win the war and maintain Ukraine's unity. Now, Mr. Poroshenko, at the head of a disintegrating army, may have to concede large swaths of territory to the rebel leaders. The man who promised "never to negotiate with terrorists" will soon have to sit at the negotiating table with the rebels.
According to the newspaper, last Friday, the Ukrainian president said he was "very satisfied" with the agreement reached in the Belarusian capital, and that he hoped it would be "the basis for a peaceful solution" to the conflict. But in reality, Mr. Poroshenko had to swallow his pride, not even daring to announce a ceasefire, as he had been tricked two days earlier.
Forced to sign a ceasefire in Minsk, President Petro Poroshenko's position in the country is now further shaken, with early parliamentary elections on October 26 threatening his presidency.
Source RFI