German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas visited Kyiv for a few hours on Aug. 24 to discuss necessary steps to secure peace in the conflict-ridden eastern Donbas, where Russia has waged a war against Ukraine since 2014.
Maas’ visit coincided with Ukraine’s Independence Day.
“I would like to take this opportunity to offer all Ukrainian citizens my heartfelt congratulations! This day is a particular incentive for us to continue to work intensively on finding a solution to the existing conflicts, especially in eastern Ukraine,” Maas stated prior to his departure from Kyiv.
During his visit, the German minister met with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Among the matters discussed were the situation in occupied Donbas and Crimea, Ukraine’s bilateral trade with Germany, Ukraine’s reform efforts and the protests in Belarus.
Successful ceasefire?
At the joint press conference with Kuleba on Aug. 24, Maas hailed the “significant progress” made in the Donbas region, particularly praising the current cease-fire, which he claims is “probably the longest one” since the outbreak of the conflict in 2014.
Starting on July 27, the Ukrainian military and the Kremlin-backed militants agreed to hold their fire for a “full and comprehensive ceasefire.” Since then, one soldier has died and one was wounded, reportedly after they came into contact with an unknown explosive device on the frontline on Aug. 13.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), an independent organization that monitors the situation in the region, has flagged over 100 violations following the latest ceasefire attempt. Still, it has largely held and there have been no combat related casualties for 29 days.
According to Maas, there is still a significant amount of work to be done to fully execute the de-escalation points set out in the so-called Normandy Format meeting back in December 2019 between the leaders of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia. These include the realization of additional civilian crossing points, increased efforts to clear mines in the conflict zone and a proper mechanism to monitor violations of the ceasefire.
Nonetheless, the German minister commented on the “good progress” made by Ukraine on prisoner swaps and de-mining. He further encouraged Kyiv to move forward with the implementation of the Minsk agreements by pursuing a political resolution to the conflict and organizing local elections in the Kremlin-controlled areas of Ukraine.
Local elections in Donbas
The parties involved in the peace negotiations still appear far from reaching a political solution to the conflict in Donbas.
Unlike his predecessor, Zelensky has taken a more open approach to engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Donbas. This has led to two prisoner swaps, but also sparked controversy, with some Ukrainians fearing the president will “capitulate” to Putin.
Zelensky’s made the highly criticized decision to approve the controversial so-called Steinmeier formula, named for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The formula envisions holding free elections in the occupied territories under Ukrainian law and granting the region self-governing status. Many Ukrainians have opposed the plan, saying that elections may allow for the region’s eventual annexation by Russia.
Kuleba has denied that the Ukrainian president underestimated the challenge of achieving peace with Russia.
“We suggest to Russia a very simple solution: We will never cross our red lines, which are sovereignty and control of our border,” Kuleba told Deutsche Welle. “In return, we are ready to negotiate the special status of those regions within Ukraine, without providing them with the right to have a veto on any nationwide decisions.”
Questions regarding the timing of the elections as well the future status of the Donbas remain in discussion between the two sides. Zelensky has previously stated that any legitimate election in the Donbas cannot occur “under the barrel of a gun,” demanding complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory. But Moscow has continued to urge the Ukrainian government to permit the October elections in the Kremlin-controlled region prior to any de-occupation.
“The procedural aspect of this (election) remains unclear,” Maas said when asked about the future of elections in the Donbas, during his joint press conference with Kuleba. “There are fundamental points in the Minsk agreement, but there are also different approaches. All sides have to be ready for dialogue.”
Kuleba said that Ukraine has an unwavering position on its territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic course. But Russia has the ultimate say in when the conflict stops, he added.
Both ministers said that all four countries’ foreign ministers will attend the next Normandy Format meeting, scheduled for September in Berlin.
“In order for us to meet in the Normandy format in September at the level of foreign ministers, all parties involved realize that we need to meet not to repeat what was achieved at the Paris summit, but to discuss how to put these decisions into practice,” Maas added.
On Aug. 24, Zelensky supported Maas’ proposal to hold a Normandy summit with the participation of the leaders of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia in order to address the settlement process in the Donbas by the end of September 2020. Previously, the summit was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
