Profile In Focus | Minsk 2 - Part 3 (2018 - 2019)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile In Focus | Minsk 2 - Part 3 (2018 - 2019)
“Joint press conference following the Normandy format meeting” by the Press Service of the President of the Russian Federation and kremlin.ru under CC BY 3.0 and BY 4.0.
In 2018, the Minsk 2 Protocol continued to face challenges as critics accused Ukraine's president of sidelining the accords, putting politics over peace. The Minsk peace deal, aimed at resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, remained a topic of discussion and confusion. The tension between Russia and Ukraine intensified, leading some to draw comparisons to the Cold War era. Ceasefire violations persisted, causing civilian casualties and testing the credibility of the global community.
Russia's interference in Ukraine and its violation of the Minsk agreements remained a cause for concern. In breach of the accords, the Kremlin held elections in Donbas, which were deemed illegal by the US and European countries. The conflict entered its fifth year, with cease-fire violations and evidence of Russian involvement becoming more apparent. The question of how Ukraine's next president would view the world gained significance, as the top candidates were analyzed for their potential approach to the ongoing conflict.
The incompatibility of views on sovereignty became a stumbling block for the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Ukraine called for more peace talks following a deadly incident in the eastern region of Donbass. President Zelensky's agreement to a vote deal in the east sparked both anger and praise, with protests in Ukraine and support from Moscow. The Steinmeier Formula, a proposed plan to advance the peace process, generated debate and analysis.
Amidst leaked Kremlin emails suggesting the Minsk protocol was designed for Ukraine's capitulation, a Canadian peacekeeping mission was seen as a potential "Plan B" for Kyiv. Five months into Zelensky's presidency, there were reasons for both optimism and caution. Various perspectives emerged on how to end the war in Ukraine, with discussions on an American-led peace plan. Misunderstandings about Russia's intentions in Ukraine were highlighted, and a meeting between Zelensky and Putin in Paris aimed to find a path toward peace but fell short of delivering a significant breakthrough.
Finally, there were some positive developments as Ukraine and Russia agreed to a prisoner exchange and additional peace talks. However, the overall situation remained fragile, and the Normandy talks in Paris did not result in a comprehensive resolution. The year ended with a summary of 10 facts about Russian military aggression against Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing challenges and complexities of the conflict.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on May 16, 2023
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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 3 (2018 - 2019):
Remember the Cold War? Putin has brought it back. - The Washington Post March 19, 2018
Russia vs. Ukraine: More of the same? - BROOKINGS October 9, 2018
US, Europeans say planned Ukraine separatist vote illegal - DW October 31, 2018
In breach of Minsk agreements, Kremlin holds elections in Donbas - Kyiv Post November 12, 2018
Ukraine Fears Breakout Offensive as Russia Breaks 'New Year’s Truce' - VOA News January 1, 2019
On Russia’s Ongoing Violations in Ukraine - U.S. Mission to the OSCE February 10, 2019
The Minsk Agreements Rest on Incompatible Views of Sovereignty - CHATHAM HOUSE JULY 15, 2019
Ukraine calls for more peace talks after four die in eastern Donbass - Reuters August 6, 2019
Judy Asks: Is the Détente Between Ukraine and Russia Real? - Carnegie Europe September 12, 2019
Ukraine conflict: Anger as Zelensky agrees vote deal in east - BBC News October 2, 2019
Steinmeier Deal Sparks Protests in Ukraine, Praise in Moscow - VOA News October 2, 2019
What the West Gets Wrong About Russia’s Intentions in Ukraine - Foreign Policy December 6, 2019
Russia and Ukraine make small steps toward peace, but no big leap - CNBC December 10, 2019
Normandy talks land in Paris but fail to deliver peace in Ukraine - POLITICO December 10, 2019