Profile In Focus | Minsk 2 - Part 1 (2015)
“51st Munich Security Conference 2015: Petro Poroschenko (President, Ukraine), Dr. Angela Merkel (Federal Chancellor, Federal Republic of Germany), Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Vice President, United States of America)” by Marc Müller from the Munich Security Conference under CC BY 3.0 DE.
In 2015, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continued to escalate, resulting in a devastating toll on both countries. Human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch, reported an alarming rise in civilian casualties and the use of unlawful unguided rockets and cluster munitions in populated areas.
On February 12, 2015, world leaders gathered in Minsk for marathon talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement. After intense negotiations, they reached a breakthrough with the signing of the Minsk 2 Protocol, a peace plan aimed at ending the hostilities in Ukraine. The agreement outlined key points, including a ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons, prisoner exchanges, and the restoration of Ukraine's control over its eastern border.
The Minsk 2 Protocol faced mixed reactions. Some viewed it as a significant step towards peace, while others doubted its effectiveness. Critics argued that the agreement favored Russia and President Putin, allowing them to maintain influence in the region while Ukraine suffered the consequences.
Despite the signing of the Minsk 2 Protocol, violence in Ukraine persisted. Ceasefire violations and sporadic clashes undermined the agreement's implementation. International observers and organizations, including the United Nations, expressed concerns over the escalating violence and called for all parties to honor their commitments under the accord.
Throughout 2015, diplomatic efforts continued, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel playing a crucial role in mediating between Russia and Ukraine. Merkel's diplomacy was widely acknowledged and praised, earning her the title of an unsung hero in the Ukraine crisis.
However, the fragile ceasefire in Ukraine faced numerous challenges. The far-right movements in Ukraine added to the complexities, raising concerns about their influence and potential impact on the conflict. As the year progressed, doubts grew about whether the terms of the Minsk 2 Protocol would be fully fulfilled.
The year ended with ongoing tensions and uncertainty surrounding the conflict. Despite international efforts and diplomatic initiatives, the conflict remained unresolved, leaving many questions unanswered. The events of 2015 highlighted the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the difficulties in achieving a lasting peace.
In summary, 2015 was a year marked by rising civilian casualties, the signing of the Minsk 2 Protocol, and continued violence in Ukraine. The agreement faced both optimism and skepticism, with ongoing ceasefire violations and clashes undermining its implementation. Diplomatic efforts and the involvement of international leaders played a crucial role, but the conflict remained unresolved, leaving the future uncertain for both Russia and Ukraine.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on May 16, 2023
Previous: Profile In Focus | Minsk 2
Next: Profile In Focus | Minsk 2 - Part 2 (2016 - 2017)
Return to Start: Profile In Focus | Minsk 2
Putin Is A War Criminal
Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for Profile In Focus | Minsk 2 - Part 1 (2015):
Dispatches: More Cluster Munition Use in Ukraine - Human Rights Watch February 4, 2015
Ukraine leader puts detained pilot centre-stage at Minsk talks - Reuters February 12, 2015
Ukraine ceasefire deal reached after marathon Minsk talks - CNN February 12, 2015
Ukraine ceasefire: New Minsk agreement key points - BBC News February 12, 2015
Ukraine ceasefire agreed at Belarus talks - The Guardian February 12, 2015
Ukraine crisis: what is in the Minsk ceasefire agreement? - The Guardian February 12, 2015
Full text of the Minsk agreement - Financial Times February 12, 2015
Factbox: Minsk agreement on Ukraine - Reuters February 12, 2015
Details of the Ukraine Cease-Fire Negotiated in Minsk - The New York Times February 12, 2015
Minsk II—will it meet a better fate than Minsk I? - BROOKINGS February 12, 2015
As Cease-Fire Nears, Europe Warily Watches Fighting In Ukraine - NPR February 13, 2015
The Ukraine peace deal is great news for Putin and a disaster for Ukraine - Vox February 13, 2015
What Did Minsk II Actually Achieve? - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace February 13, 2015
Amid doubts, truce in Ukraine appears to take hold - The Washington Post February 14, 2015
Can Merkel's Diplomacy Save Europe? - SPIEGEL International February 14, 2015
The Red Tape Tied Around Donbass - Human Rights Watch February 16, 2015
The Minsk Ceasefire Has Failed. What Now For Ukraine? | Contributor - Forbes February 22, 2015
Merkel Is the Unsung Hero of Ukraine Crisis - Carnegie Europe February 23, 2015
Time to acknowledge that the Ukraine ceasefire is dead | Opinion - Al Jazeera February 24, 2015
Wesley Clark: Remember Rwanda. Arm Ukraine. | Opinion - USA Today February 26, 2015
Ukraine a testing ground - DW April 7, 2015
Honouring of obligations and commitments by Ukraine - Council of Europe April 15, 2015
Carter Pleased with Russia's Embrace of Minsk Agreement - VOA News April 30, 2015
Muddled Thinking Mars Our Response to Putin's War | Opinion - Newsweek June 18, 2015
Why the New US-Russian Cold War May Be More Dangerous Than the Last - The Nation July 2, 2015
Ukraine: Follow-up of Minsk II | A fragile ceasefire - European Parliament July 15, 2015
Ukraine ceasefire ‘violated’ as violence spikes - CNBC August 12, 2015
Ukraine’s far-right menace | Opinion - POLITICO September 1, 2015
How to Resolve the War in Ukraine - The National Interest September 16, 2015
Hollande casts doubt on fulfilling terms of Minsk deal - France 24 October 2, 2015
Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden to The Ukrainian Rada - THE WHITE HOUSE December 9, 2015
Ukraine | Events of 2015 - Human Rights Watch 2016