Russian and Ukrainian officials open truce talks in Berlin
RUSSIAN and Ukrainian ministers are to meet in Berlin today to discuss a possible ceasefire, at talks which will also be attended by ministers from France and Germany.
Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, will be joined by Frank-Walter-Steinmeier of Germany and France’s Laurent Fabius at a meeting called to attempt to quell violence and improve the increasingly desperate humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine.
Over the weekend, pro-Russian forces shot down a Ukrainian fighter jet, with conflicting reports about the fate of the pilot. The downing of the plane happened as Ukrainian government forces attempted to re-take control of the Luhansk region, currently under the control of rebel fighters who want closer ties to President Putin’s Russia.
An aid convoy from Russia heading towards Luhansk and other areas held hostage by intense fighting within Ukraine is proceeding despite concern that the government may attempt to halt its progress into the country. Ukrainian government ministers have warned that the convoy will be allowed to proceed only if it is accompanied by representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICRC itself says it has been unable to guarantee safe passage of its employees into the conflict area, a condition that must be met before it will travel with the aid trucks.
Speaking ahead of the ceasefire talks yesterday, Walter-Steinmeier said: “We urgently need new political impetus – otherwise we run the danger … of re-entering an intensified escalation spiral. It is all about a road map to a sustainable ceasefire and a framework for effective border controls.
“Only in this way can eastern Ukraine achieve peace.”