Renewed Ukraine peace talks break up without progress
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 August 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Renewed Ukraine peace talks break up without progress, 4 August 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ee9658c.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 04, 2015
Peace talks between the warring sides in the conflict in eastern Ukraine broke up after six hours on August 3 amid reports that they failed to secure progress on a planned buffer zone.
The talks in the Belarusian capital Minsk are seeking to salvage a sweeping but largely ineffective cease-fire signed by the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed rebels six months ago.
The latest meetings were meant to agree to the withdrawal of smaller weapons from a proposed 30-kilometer-wide buffer zone, which splits rebel-run districts from the rest of Ukraine.
Donetsk separatist negotiator Denis Pushilin said the discussions were "aborted by the Ukrainian side" because of Kyiv's refusal to move back its forces from four strategic locations.
Pushilin said that some talks would continue into August 4.
"But most likely, nothing will get done," he said. Envoys from Kyiv and Moscow did not speak to reporters.
Ukraine has been under pressure from European allies to back the extended buffer zone. Yet several hundred residents of the Kyiv-controlled frontline port of Mariupol rallied against the pullback on August 2 out of fear that it would only provoke a new rebel advance.
ased on reporting by AFP and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
