A new format of negotiations between the Ukrainian government and the Moscow-controlled “people’s republics” began operating on May 14 in Minsk (Osce.org, Interfax, Ukrinform, May 14). Four specialized Working Groups have now been launched, with a view to implementing the military, political, economic, and humanitarian clauses of the February 12 Minsk armistice agreement (Minsk Two).
This format’s launching marks a further step toward equalizing the Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” (“DPR,” “LPR”) as parties to negotiations with Kyiv, de facto contributing to their legitimization. The Working Groups are to operate within the Contact Group—Ukraine, Russia, DPR, LPR and the Organization for …read more
Source: The Jamestown Foundation