Germany Sees 'Readiness' to Defuse Ukraine Crisis
Germany's foreign minister on Tuesday said that all sides appear committed to defusing the conflict in Ukraine following three-way talks with his Russian and Polish counterparts, but Moscow warned there was no sign of the fighting subsiding.
Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov said the Kremlin welcomed Ukraine's decision to establish humanitarian corridors in the separatist east but stressed that Moscow has yet to see an easing in the crisis.
Both spoke after a joint meeting with their Polish colleague Radoslaw Sikorski in Russia's second city of Saint Petersburg in a fresh attempt to find a way to defuse two months of bloodshed in eastern regions of ex-Soviet Ukraine.
"I have seen that there is a readiness from all sides to act to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine," Frank-Walter Steinmeier told journalists after the talks.
He reiterated his earlier statement, saying he saw "the light at the end of the tunnel."
"I am not saying that we have found a way out of the crisis but escalation has given way to a new atmosphere," Germany's top diplomat said in remarks translated into Russian.
"The elections in Ukraine have shown that a majority supports the president and a majority is in favor of Ukraine's unity," Steinmeier said. "All of that is a chance to make steps to overcome the crisis."
Lavrov said Ukraine's decision to establish humanitarian corridors was a "step in the right direction."
"We've heard that President Poroshenko spoke in favor of the creation of corridors for refugees. We welcome this," Lavrov said after the talks.
But he took issue with Steinmeier's view that tensions were easing on the ground.
"Unfortunately, so far this is not the case," Lavrov said.
"Military operations are continuing and even intensifying in a number of cases. So we will be very carefully watching reports from the field."
He expressed hope that Ukraine would decide to enforce a ceasefire following the announcement to establish humanitarian corridors.
He added that Ukraine was free to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union but warned that Moscow would be forced to protect its markets by introducing tariffs.
"It's up to the Ukrainian people to choose, of course," said Lavrov.
Source: Agence France Presse
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