MINSK AGREEMENT

MINSK AGREEMENT

TOPIC: IR

Context- US authorities have warned Russia not to invade Ukraine and urged both countries to return to a set of agreements designed to end a separatist war by Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

Concept-

Minsk Ceasefire Agreement:

• Ukraine and the Russian-backed separatists agreed a 12-point ceasefire deal aka MINSK-I Agreement in the capital of Belarus in September 2014. The agreement quickly broke down, with violations by both sides.
• MINSK II: Representatives of Russia, Ukraine, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the leaders of two pro-Russian separatist regions signed a 13-point agreement in February 2015 in Minsk.
• The 13 points were, in brief:
  • An immediate and comprehensive ceasefire
  • Withdrawal of all heavy weapons by both sides
  • Monitoring and verification by the OSCE
  • To start a dialogue on interim self-government for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in accordance with Ukrainian law, and acknowledge their special status by a resolution of parliament.
  • A pardon and amnesty for people involved in the fighting
  • An exchange of hostages and prisoners.
  • Provision of humanitarian assistance.
  • Resumption of socio-economic ties, including pensions.
  • Restore full control of the state border by the government of Ukraine.
  • Withdrawal of all foreign armed formations, military equipment and mercenaries.
  • Constitutional reform in Ukraine including decentralisation, with specific mention of Donetsk and Luhansk.
  • Elections in Donetsk and Luhansk on terms to be agreed with their representatives.
  • Intensify the work of a Trilateral Contact Group including representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE.

Russia-Ukraine Crisis:

• Nord Stream 2 is an undersea Gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. It bypasses Ukraine thus deny its transit fee for Russia’s Gas exports
• The 1,200-km pipeline that runs from Ust-Luga in Russia to Greifswald in Germany through the Baltic Sea.
• Some EU members have security concerns regarding Russia’s presence in Baltic Sea.
• US fears that it could give Russia too much leverage in Europe and increase threat of Ukraine Invasion by Russia.