Little Optimism Ahead Of Ukraine Peace Talks In Minsk

Euronews: Little optimism ahead of Ukraine peace talks in Minsk

Last year’s Minsk agreement failed to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine and there is little reason for optimism about the latest peace talks in the capital of Belarus.

A Russian source has been quoted as saying that there are no plans to sign a document to resolve the conflict and that the creation of a demilitarised zone would be the main talking point.

WNU Editor: I have no reasons to be optimistic. Both sides are not budging from their stated positions, and while some are speculating that today's intense battles were an indication that a ceasefire may be called and military positions locked .... I just do not see that happening. To end this conflict Ukraine will have to concede to a number of points that I know Ukrainian President Poroshenko will never agree to .... autonomy, withdrawal of Ukrainian military and security forces from Donetsk and Luhansk, and a commitment to work in revising the constitution to reflect a federal state. This will end the conflict right away .... but I know that it is not going to happen.

What I do expect after tomorrow's talks is a joint statement outlining a framework for future discussions on the establishment of a demilitarized zone and a commitment to withdraw heavy weapons. After that statement is released .... German Chancellor Merkel must then be actively involved in pushing the peace process further ... but it is not going to be easy ... and I predict that it will fail. Ukraine is at a pivotal moment in its history right now .... unfortunately .... I just do not see any willingness on both sides to do the necessary compromises and accommodations to end this conflict .... what I see and hear is the opposite and an even stronger desire to escalate the war.

If there was a time when I hope that I was 100% wrong .... it is now. But from what I hear, read, and see .... no one is listening to their better angels right now.

More News On Tomorrow's Minsk Peace Talks On Ukraine

Positions before Minsk summit on Ukraine -- Reuters
Minsk talks to focus on demilitarised zone in east Ukraine-RIA -- Reuters
Leaders locked in Minsk talks on Ukraine ceasefire -- The Guardian
Germany: Top-level talks on Ukraine peace resuming in Minsk -- AP
Ukraine's Poroshenko says Minsk talks 'last chance' for true ceasefire -- Reuters
Demilitarized zone, Kiev-Donetsk dialogue to be focus of Normandy 4 talks in Minsk - source -- RT
Germany's Steinmeier: questions still to resolve ahead of Ukraine summit -- Reuters
Contact Group agrees heavy troops withdrawal, ceasefire regime -- ITAR-TASS
Obama called Ukraine's Poroshenko on ceasefire, peace deal: White House -- Reuters
Ukraine Summit Expected As Fighting Rages -- Radio Free Europe
It didn't work before. So why is Ukraine seeking a new peace deal? -- Richard Allen Greene, CNN
Russia Must Forget Yalta and Face Facts in Minsk -- Vladimir Ryzhkov, Moscow Times