By The Daily Journalist.
In a desperate attempt to achieve peace in eastern Ukraine, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande, traveled to Moscow on Friday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The goal is for the separatists to commit to a new protest for peace. During the afternoon the three leaders had dinner together without commenting after three hours of talks , behind closed doors, unaccompanied by advisor and with only the aid of translation services.
The plan, according to some leaks is based in past Minsk agreements that brought the ceasefire in September. But according to some media, it includes both the deployment of peacekeepers as recognition of the new contact line separating the territory dominated by the pro-Russian forces. Now the rest of Ukraine. Kiev has displayed discontent on both demands, which has already tried to mark their territory remembering not to accept their territorial integrity and sovereignty from being conditioned by third parties. The presence of peacekeepers could mean a de facto recognition of the breakaway territory, freezing a conflict that Kiev hopes to leave behind some day and be integrated into European structures.
A diplomatic source said that the outcome of the talks could depend on the new sanctions prepared by the European Union against Russia that were more or less severe. Russian Deputy Defense Anatoly Antonov, could be included in the list of individuals and entities subject to sanctions by the European Union, according to diplomatic sources cited by Reuters. The fact that Antonov participates in Security Conferences held in Munich and whose Ukraine agenda is one of the main topics given.
So far we know little more than the names of the 19 people and 9 entities who will join this list, the EU expanded regularly the list since last March, after the incorporation of Crimea to Russia announcing a ban on entry into the Community and freezing of assets to people they accused of violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Brussels has realized that sanctions hurt Russia but not bow to Putin. But fears that the supply of arms to the Ukrainian side by the US divides the EU and especially to relaunch the conflict into an all out war.
The expectations of progress were low before starting. Especially since the recent progress made by the rebels have left old peace agreements reached in Minsk, which drew a line against the secessionists which have moved west, stealing 500 square kilometers of land. But Europe needs a deal more than the US. And it is seeking ways to normalize relations with Moscow, as explained by the European Union ambassador in Russia, Vygaudas Usackas. The atmosphere in Moscow was tense from the outset, with Merkel and Hollande starting directly from the aircraft steps towards the Kremlin, without traditional receptions for foreign leaders.
Meanwhile the pro Russian rebels and Ukrainian authorities agreed Friday to create a humanitarian corridor to allow the exit of civilians trapped in the town of Debaltsevo, next to the front line and that these days is the epicenter of the fighting in the eastern Ukraine. It has been two weeks that the city has been hit by heavy shelling.
The pro-Russian territory tries to steal Kiev. These days have gone and it took Vuhlehirsk, a rural village 10 kilometers west. Last night were trying to capture Debaltsevo, which is vital because it brings rail two main strongholds: the cities of Donetsk and Lugansk.
During the afternoon dozens of buses traveling in convoy Debaltsevo, both from territory under rebel control and the government to take people and put it out of danger. The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, US Vice President Joe Biden and President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, leveraging the Munich Security Conference.
