Vladimir Putin and EU leaders have met in order to discuss important matters regarding the Ukrainian crisis. The Russian and Ukrainian presidents have met in Milan, and were later joined by EU leaders. The discussions were described as “positive”, but no significant breakthrough has been reached, in order to end the crisis in Ukraine. EU says that Russia is providing weapons and provisions for the separatist rebels. Also, they are accused of sending military forces to eastern Ukraine. Russia, however does not admit to any of these accusations.
The one thing upon which an agreement was reached was the matter of gas supply for certain European countries. President Poroshenko declared: “We have agreed on the main parameters of the contract. We could not reach any practical results”. Vladimir Putin has also stated that progress has been made, as far as the gas supplies go, but the most important aspect of this problem remained unanswered: how would Kiev be able to pay its major debts to Russia. The debts are estimated to be around $ 4.5bn. Most of Russia’s gas supplies are delivered to Europe through Ukraine. Putin had warned Europe about a major transit risk, unless Ukraine finds a way to fix the problem. During this last summer, Russia cut the gas supplies to Ukraine. Moscow accused Kiev of being unable to pay its major debt. Kiev, in return, complained that the price set by Moscow was too high and unfair.
The discussions held today took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Summit, held in Milan, Italy for two days. The summit reunited more than 50 member states. During the meetings held in Friday, UK Prime Minister David Cameron was present, as well as French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Putin and Poroshenko held another meeting. During this second meeting, Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande were present.
After the meeting, Poroshenko had stated that during the second meeting they had agreed on the following topics as well: all the clauses at the Minsk memorandum should be respected and implemented and that elections should be allowed to take place in Donetsk and Luhansk. Putin even stressed the idea that the Minsk agreement was a guide towards reaching a settlement. However, he said it was not completely implemented by Ukrainian troops and rebels. Even though the discussions were described as positive, some of the officials present at the meetings described them as being “full of misunderstandings”. Angela Merkel declared: “I cannot see a breakthrough here at all so far”. David Cameron said that President Putin had made it very clear he did not want a frozen conflict or a divided Ukraine. The EU sanctions against Russia will be kept until the actions from the Minsk agreement were implemented.