French President considers Minsk agreements the only way to achieve peace in Ukraine
Macron, in the role of a negotiator on the Donbass, will demonstrate the authority of France in the international arena. Photo: collage “Today”
On Tuesday, February 8, a meeting was held in KievPresident of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and nFrench Resident Emmanuel Macron. This is the first visit of the President of France to our country over the past 24 years (after Jacques Chirac, who visited Ukraine in 1998 – Ed.). After negotiations that lasted more than two hours, the Ukrainian leader noted that “the security of Ukraine and Europe were the main topic of the meeting.”
So, what did the heads of state agree on and what should Ukraine expect now?
What did Zelensky say?
The President of Ukraine stressed that he and the President of France have a common vision regarding the security of Ukraine and the world. He also noted significant support from the Elysee Palace.
“France is important for our region and the entire EU. This is a powerful step in supporting our state: France allocates 1.2 billion euros of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine. Emmanuel Macron does a lot for Ukraine”Zelensky said.
The head of the Ukrainian state also noted that during the talks an agreement was reached to hold a meeting of advisers to the Normandy Four leaders in Berlin. February 10and expressed the hope that this meeting will bring closer the negotiations of the leaders of the countries participating in the Normandy format.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “France is important for our region and the entire EU” / Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
What did Macron say?
The President of France said that he considers the Minsk agreements the only way to achieve peace in Ukraine. He also assured that his country, together with Germany, would remain mediators in resolving the conflict in Donbas.
“I discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements with Putin. Ukraine is also ready for this. This is the way to move towards sustainable peace. The conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine is regulated by the Minsk agreement and the Normandy format. Let me remind you that in February 2015, after the signing of the Minsk agreements, heavy bloodshed stopped .We have to move forward, although there are different discussions on the format”Macron said.
At the same time, the President of France declared the inviolability of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“There is no step back on this path. I want to emphasize your restraint and composure in the face of such a concentration of Russian troops on the borders. The sovereignty of nations should underlie the world order that will suit everyone”he concluded.
Emmanuel Macron: “Minsk agreements are the only way to achieve peace in Ukraine” / Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
No breakthrough, but dialogue continues
Political scientist Ruslan Bortnik notes that in the negotiations between Zelensky and Macron there was no significant breakthrough regarding the resolution of the crisis in the south-east of Ukraine.
“Nevertheless, the meeting showed that the dialogue between Ukraine, Russia and the West continues. The date of the talks between the advisers to the leaders of the Normandy Four was announced, which means that the parties will continue to look for ways to resolve the conflict in Donbas,” Bortnik says.
Minsk agreements without specifics
Political scientist Anton Kuchukhidze drew attention to the fact that the President of France several times emphasized the need for Ukraine to comply with the Minsk agreements.
“France, Russia and Ukraine agree to implement the Minsk agreements, but Ukraine and Russia have absolutely opposite views on some points of these agreements. The President of France did not specify whose point of view he supports in the implementation of Minsk. There were no specifics in his words,” tells us Kuchukhidze.
Anton Kuchukhidze: “The President of France did not specify whose point of view he supports in the implementation of” Minsk “ / Photo: Facebook
Why Macron took the role of negotiator between the West and Russia
According to the political scientist, Macron’s visit to Kiev was not productive for Ukraine.
“This diplomatic voyage is more like a PR of Macron himself. Firstly, he needs to be rehabilitated in the eyes of the Europeans after France insisted on lifting sanctions from Russia in 2019, promising that Moscow would de-escalate the conflict in Donbass, but this is not In addition, the French presidential election is just around the corner and Macron needs to show his citizens that he is a strong politician capable of solving global issues of world security,” the expert tells us.
Ruslan Bortnik agrees with him.
“Macron has taken on the role of the West’s negotiator with Russia, which was claimed by Turkish President Erdogan. His goal is to demonstrate the authority of France in the international arena and raise his own rating,” says Bortnik.
Ruslan Bortnik: “Macron’s goal is to demonstrate the authority of France and raise his own rating” / Photo: Facebook
Secret arrangements
Political scientist Igor Petrenko does not exclude that at the meeting between Macron and Zelensky, and earlier with Putin, certain agreements could be reached, which the politicians have not yet begun to disclose.
“Perhaps the French president found out what points of contact Zelensky and Putin agree to reach, after which he needs to consult with the leaders of the United States, Great Britain and Germany. And then, on February 10, at a meeting in Berlin, after consulting with their leaders, advisers to the leaders of the countries will discuss these conditions and look for options for consensus. It is quite possible that the Berlin meeting will become more effective in resolving the Ukrainian crisis,” Petrenko summed up.
Igor Petrenko: “Perhaps the Berlin meeting will be more productive in resolving the Ukrainian crisis” / Photo: Facebook
Earlier, the Segodnya website reported that on February 7, French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. During the meeting, the French president spoke about the need for “everyone to act responsibly” on the issue of European security.
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Source: Segodnya
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