We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script EnglishFrench President sees implementation of Minsk Agreement as crucial in de-escalating crisis, but Kyiv fears giving veto to Russian-backed rebels
Transcript/ScriptRussia Ukraine France
HEADLINE: France’s Macron Claims Progress in Ukraine-Russia Crisis, but Kyiv Remains Skeptical
TEASER: French President sees implementation of Minsk Agreement as crucial in de-escalating crisis, but Kyiv fears giving veto to Russian-backed rebels
PUBLISHED AT: 2/8/2022 at 3:30pm
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: London
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, Bowman, DJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Reuters, AFP, APTN, Skype
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:25
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: VPKGN
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday there is an opportunity to de-escalate the crisis on the Ukraine-Russian border, after meetings with the Ukrainian and Russian presidents. Henry Ridgwell looks at whether the French leader can broker an agreement.]]
((NARRATOR))
The Russian military build-up around Ukraine continues unabated. Six Russian warships headed to the Black Sea from the Mediterranean. Moscow has deployed over 100-thousand troops along its border with Ukraine – and a further 20-thousand in neighboring Belarus.
It is the backdrop for several days of intense diplomacy.
French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv Tuesday, a day after his visit to Moscow.
Key to ending the crisis – according to Macron – is the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, a roadmap aimed at ending the conflict between Russian-backed rebels and government forces in eastern Ukraine.
((Emmanuel Macron, French President (in French)
“The Minsk Agreements are also the best protection of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Based on the commitment of the two sides, Russian and Ukrainian, we now have the possibility of advancing negotiations.”
((NARRATOR))
Zelenskiy agreed there was an opportunity – but said Russian President Vladimir Putin must prove his commitment.
((Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian President (in Ukrainian) ))
“Generally, I don't quite trust words. That's why I think that every politician can show his or her openness by concrete deeds.”
((NARRATOR))
The Minsk Agreements would see the eastern Donbas region — currently under the control of pro-Russian rebels — reintegrated into Ukraine, but with political autonomy.
((Alexander Titov, Russia Analyst at Queens University Belfast))
((cf. Skype logo))
“Moscow sees Minsk as a way of re-establishing some form of presence in Ukraine for its pro-Russian forces and stopping Ukraine from formal NATO membership. Ukraine, for exactly the same reasons, opposes it.”
((NARRATOR))
There are concerns in Ukraine over what President Macron may have offered Russia.
((Quentin Peel, Europe Analyst at Chatham House))
((cf. Skype logo))
“Ukrainians are very suspicious that behind it all Russia simply wants to give the separatists in the Donbas a veto over any future constitutional arrangement in Ukraine. So, the Ukrainians are suspicious that Macron might try and force them to give that away.”
((NARRATOR))
That explains why Ukraine is trying to calm the situation, says Titov.
((Alexander Titov, Russia Analyst at Queens University Belfast))
((cf. Skype logo))
“There is a lot of talk in Kyiv and Ukraine more generally about the whole crisis being kind of exaggerated in order to force Ukraine to actually implement the Minsk Agreements as a way of kind of calming down Putin.”
((NARRATOR))
Despite those suspicions, analysts say Macron has kept diplomatic channels open.
((Quentin Peel, Europe Analyst at Chatham House))
((cf. Skype logo))
“By coming to Moscow and sitting with Putin and giving Putin if you like almost the lead in the negotiations — that's exactly what the Russian president really craves for.”
((NARRATOR))
Whether that will be enough to avert conflict remains to be seen. European diplomatic efforts continue next week when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is due to visit Moscow for talks with President Putin.
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London))
NewsML Media TopicsPolitics
Topic TagsUkraine
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 8, 2022 15:55 EST
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
