Normandy Four: Ukrainian crisis back on global agenda

Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine resume dialogue in the Normandy format to resolve the crisis in eastern Ukraine.

The Normandy Four summit will take place in Paris with the participation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec. 9.

It will be the first official event with the participation of the Ukrainian and Russian leaders, who will hold a separate bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit to discuss the situation in Crimea and Donbass.

Zelensky continues his efforts to end the crisis in eastern Ukraine in line with his election pledges, and has managed to take some important steps, including exchange of detainees and the return of Ukrainian vessels seized by Russia in a confrontation last year.

Ukraine’s president urged the resumption of talks in the Normandy Four format, which were suspended in 2016 and seemed to be forgotten by the West.

The trilateral contact group on Donbass, thanks to Zelensky, adopted the "Steinmeier formula" action plan during the September talks in Minsk.

It is a mechanism suggesting the gradual implementation of the 2015 Minsk agreement to stop conflict in eastern Ukraine, such as assigning wider autonomy to Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine and holding local elections under Kiev's supervision.

The Steinmeier formula was agreed the prerequisite of the Normandy summit during the Minsk meeting.

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko denied the Steinmeier formula, saying it was strengthening the positions of separatists. However, Moscow called it impossible a personal meeting of Putin and Zelensky without agreement on this particular condition.

Despite a great pressure from the opposition, Zelensky approved the mechanism, finding positive resonance in Germany, France and Russia.

Russian position has been constant since the very beginning of the crisis in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine, under Zelensky, tries diplomatic means and does not seek further confrontation with Moscow.

Although Zelensky is seen as an inexperienced politician, the experts say his future steps can lead to a peaceful resolution of tensions in eastern Ukraine.