Ukraine crisis: Why so much talk of Minsk accord, can it save Ukraine from Russian attack
The Russia-Ukraine crisis is at its peak. Although there is no official confirmation of the Russian attack on Ukraine, but Britain has said that it has happened.
Meanwhile, the US has said that Putin has blown away the Minsk accord. Earlier, the UN Head of Political Affairs, Rosemary A. DeCarlo had said that the current Russia-Ukraine dispute should be resolved under the 2015 Minsk Agreement.
After Russia's recognition of Ukraine's two separatist regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, discussions on the Minsk Agreement have started all over the world. Let us know what is the Minsk Agreement and why is it being seen as a solution to the current Russia-Ukraine crisis?
What is the Minsk Agreement?
After bloody clashes between pro-Russian rebels and the Ukrainian military in eastern Ukraine, the Minsk-1 agreements were first signed in 2014 and Minsk-2 in 2015.
The agreement was signed in February 2015 in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, in the presence of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France. Under this, steps were to be taken to restore peace in those areas which had been occupied by pro-Russian separatists.
The separatist-held areas in the Donbass region of Ukraine became known as the Luhansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic, respectively. The Ukrainian government said that by instigating the separatists, Russia has occupied these areas in a way.
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What are the key points of the agreement?
The Minsk-2 agreement was signed by Russia, Ukraine, separatist leaders and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). It was approved by bringing a resolution in the United Nations Security Council.
On the night of February 11, 2015, even when this agreement was being signed, heavy fighting was going on between the Ukrainian army and the pro-Russian separatists. Ukraine was suffering tremendous losses from it.
According to a BBC report, there are 11 points of this agreement:-
1. The first condition of the agreement is an immediate ceasefire from both sides.
2. A buffer zone of 50-50 km will be formed between the regions and Russia. Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists will withdraw their heavy weapons.
3. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will monitor this.
4. From the very first day of the withdrawal of forces, talks will start on holding local elections.
5. Combatants involved in the Battle of Donetsk and Luhansk will be pardoned.
6. The hostages and illegally held prisoners will be released.
7. Both countries will provide humanitarian assistance to each other, which will be under international monitoring.
8. Social and economic relations will be restored in the affected areas.
9. Ukraine will restore control of its country's border.
10. There will be withdrawal of all armed foreign fighters from Ukraine.
11. By the end of 2015, there will be constitutional reform in Ukraine, the new constitution will come into force.
What happened after the agreement?
The fighting stopped because of the monitoring of OSCE. However, there were intermittent ceasefire violations. However, these cases did not last long. Yet 14 thousand people were killed and 1.5 million displaced in Ukraine due to conflict from both sides.
Why conflict despite agreement?
In fact, the Minsk Agreement was made in a hurry. Russia signed it, but its role in the conflict was not outlined. The word 'Russia' is not even mentioned in the agreement document.
According to Russia, it is only an observer of this agreement. The agreement should be between the Ukrainian government and the rebels in the eastern region of Ukraine.
Russia made these arguments when there was clear evidence that it was helping the separatists. Meanwhile, Ukraine has also refused direct talks with the separatists.
The language of the agreement is unclear. Russia and Ukraine are interpreting it differently. Ukraine wants to take control of its international border even before holding elections in rebel areas. Along with this, he also wants the withdrawal of the Russian army. While Russia says it has no army in the rebel-held area.
Russia wants elections to be held in Donetsk and Luhansk before the Ukrainian army takes over the border.
Western countries tried to solve this problem but failed.
Then why is the Minsk Agreement so important to Putin?
If seen from the point of view of Russia, this allows it to maintain influence in Ukraine through its pro-insurgents in the Donbass.
With this, Russia can retain its possession without annexing this area. Along with this, Russia's interference in the affairs of Ukraine will also continue. Russia has made the matter more complicated by giving its passports to thousands of Donbass.
Through this, he can promote his supporters in the Ukrainian parliament. These leaders can obstruct Ukraine's process of joining NATO. Russia's biggest demand at the moment is that Russia should not get NATO membership. This is the biggest reason for the current tension.
Why is there still so much hope for the Minsk Agreement?
Both France and America have said that this agreement can end this tension. Even though it is not clearly mentioned in this agreement whether Ukraine will join NATO or not, it is believed that this agreement can end the current tension.
Under the agreement, land has been given the proper to regulate its border. If this agreement is enforced then Russia's attack may be averted. an outsized range of individuals in land believe that the Minsk Agreement will encourage be useful in protective against Russian attack. however at the instant this doesn't appear to be the case.
