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Ukraine talks set to open without pro-Russian separatists Ukraine talks open without pro-Russian separatists
(about 1 hour later)
KIEV, Ukraine — The first round of talks on Ukrainian national unity was set to open here Wednesday — without participation from pro-Russian separatists — a day after Ukrainian troops suffered their single heaviest loss of life against the separatists since the conflict in eastern Ukraine erupted last month. KIEV, Ukraine — The first round of talks on Ukrainian national unity opened here Wednesday — without participation from pro-Russian separatists — a day after Ukrainian troops suffered their single heaviest loss of life against the separatists since the conflict in eastern Ukraine erupted last month.
European diplomats are trying to pull rival factions together, a goal that nowseems to also have the apparent backing of Moscow. European diplomats are trying to pull rival factions together, a goal that now appears to have the backing of Moscow.
In opening remarks, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov called for a dialogue but vowed that Ukrainian forces would continue an offensive to retake eastern cities and government buildings seized by the separatists.
“Let’s have a dialogue; let’s discuss specific proposals,” Turchynov said, according to the Associated Press. “But those armed people who are trying to wage a war on their own country, those who are with arms in their hands trying to dictate their will, or rather the will of another country, we will use legal procedures against them, and they will face justice.”
Separatists, who declared “sovereignty” in two eastern Ukrainian regions this week, dismissed the talks in Kiev.
“We haven’t received any offers to join a round table and dialogue,” said Denis Pushilin, an insurgent leader in Donetsk, AP reported. “If the authorities in Kiev want a dialogue, they must come here. If we go to Kiev, they will arrest us.”
Ukraine’s interim government agreed to launch discussions after pressure from the European Union to back a peace plan brokered by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a group that includes Russia and the United States.Ukraine’s interim government agreed to launch discussions after pressure from the European Union to back a peace plan brokered by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a group that includes Russia and the United States.
But Kiev insists it will not hold talks with groups that have “blood on their hands,” and pro-Russian separatists will not attend. The first round of talks, beginning at 4:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. Eastern time), is being chaired by Ukraine’s interim prime minister and includes national lawmakers, government figures and regional officials. But Kiev has insisted it will not negotiate with groups that have “blood on their hands.” The first round of talks is being chaired by Ukraine’s interim prime minister and includes national lawmakers, government figures and regional officials.
In Moscow, meanwhile, officials appeared to soften their stance Wednesday in Russia’s ongoing confrontation with the United States and Europe over the future of Ukraine.In Moscow, meanwhile, officials appeared to soften their stance Wednesday in Russia’s ongoing confrontation with the United States and Europe over the future of Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Ukraine was closer than ever to civil war and said any attempts by Ukraine’s new government to join NATO would be “an issue” for Moscow.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Ukraine was closer than ever to civil war and said any attempts by Ukraine’s new government to join NATO would be “an issue” for Moscow.
But Lavrov, in an interview with Bloomberg Television, also said Russia has “no intention” of sending troops into Ukraine, despite fears in Europe and the West that it might invade following Ukraine’s presidential and mayoral elections scheduled for May 25. But Lavrov, in an interview with Bloomberg Television, also said Russia has “no intention” of sending troops into eastern Ukraine, despite fears in Europe and the West that it might invade following Ukraine’s presidential and mayoral elections scheduled for May 25.
A top Russian legislator spoke out Wednesday in favor of the elections, even as questions remained over whether they would be allowed to proceed in swaths of eastern Ukraine that called this week for annexation by Russia. Lavrov spoke at length about Russia’s deep historical and “psychological” ties to Ukraine, even saying that Russians “do not consider [themselves] foreigners” there. But he refused to respond directly to a question about whether Russia would annex more territories inside the country, calling the query “hypothetical.”
A top Russian legislator spoke out Wednesday in favor of the elections, even as questions remained over whether they would be allowed to proceed in swaths of eastern Ukraine where separatists called this week for annexation by Russia.
Duma Chairman Sergei Naryshkin told Russian television that voting in Ukraine would lack full legitimacy but that “not holding the elections is even a sadder situation,” the Interfax news agency reported.Duma Chairman Sergei Naryshkin told Russian television that voting in Ukraine would lack full legitimacy but that “not holding the elections is even a sadder situation,” the Interfax news agency reported.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier flew to Ukraine Tuesday, spearheading an E.U. effort to jump-start negotiations between the warring parties and thus defuse the worst conflict between the West and Russia since the end of the Cold War. As he arrived, there was renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian rebels killed seven Ukrainian troops and wounded eight others in an ambush outside the city of Kramatorsk.German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier flew to Ukraine Tuesday, spearheading an E.U. effort to jump-start negotiations between the warring parties and thus defuse the worst conflict between the West and Russia since the end of the Cold War. As he arrived, there was renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian rebels killed seven Ukrainian troops and wounded eight others in an ambush outside the city of Kramatorsk.
The West accuses Russia of igniting unrest in eastern Ukraine, a region that Western leaders fear could irrevocably slip out of the control of the Ukrainian government or descend further into civil war. Russia quickly annexed Ukraine’s autonomous Crimea region in March after a hastily-called referendum showed residents favored a return to Russia. Similar referendums, branded illegal by the West and a farce by Kiev, were held in eastern Ukraine last weekend. The West accuses Russia of igniting unrest in eastern Ukraine, a region that Western leaders fear could irrevocably slip out of the control of the Ukrainian government or descend further into civil war. Russia quickly annexed Ukraine’s autonomous Crimea region in March after a hastily called referendum showed residents favored a return to Russia. Similar referendums, branded illegal by the West and a farce by Kiev, were held in eastern Ukraine last weekend.
At the heart of Wednesday’s talks is the future political makeup of Ukraine. Though some separatists have called for Russia annexation, others in the restive eastern regions are pressing for a federal system that would grant sweeping new powers to regional governors.At the heart of Wednesday’s talks is the future political makeup of Ukraine. Though some separatists have called for Russia annexation, others in the restive eastern regions are pressing for a federal system that would grant sweeping new powers to regional governors.
Members of the interim government in Kiev agree that some decentralization is needed but want to keep strong national authority in the capital.Members of the interim government in Kiev agree that some decentralization is needed but want to keep strong national authority in the capital.
Statements by the foreign ministers in Kiev and Moscow suggested that the protagonists in the conflict were still talking past each other.Statements by the foreign ministers in Kiev and Moscow suggested that the protagonists in the conflict were still talking past each other.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry accused the interim Ukrainian government of escalating the conflict and called on Kiev to withdraw its troops and cease its “punitive actions” as part of a diplomatic solution worked out with the OSCE.Russia’s Foreign Ministry accused the interim Ukrainian government of escalating the conflict and called on Kiev to withdraw its troops and cease its “punitive actions” as part of a diplomatic solution worked out with the OSCE.
In turn, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said Russia’s view of the OSCE’s “road map” was “far from reality, biased and one-sided,” and he accused Moscow of sponsoring the separatists in an effort to destabilize Ukraine. The spokesman said Kiev was following the OSCE plan by scheduling an “all-Ukrainian roundtable” Wednesday to discuss national unity.In turn, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said Russia’s view of the OSCE’s “road map” was “far from reality, biased and one-sided,” and he accused Moscow of sponsoring the separatists in an effort to destabilize Ukraine. The spokesman said Kiev was following the OSCE plan by scheduling an “all-Ukrainian roundtable” Wednesday to discuss national unity.
In Donetsk, the Kiev-appointed regional governor, Serhiy Taruta, said that the separatists’ self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” has no political or legal standing. But Taruta also told reporters that the concerns of the region’s people need to be addressed. He advocates a nationwide referendum June 15, at the same time as the second round of a presidential election, on a decentralization of political power that would give regions more say in their affairs, including a greater share of the taxes they levy and the power to make Russian the second official language.In Donetsk, the Kiev-appointed regional governor, Serhiy Taruta, said that the separatists’ self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” has no political or legal standing. But Taruta also told reporters that the concerns of the region’s people need to be addressed. He advocates a nationwide referendum June 15, at the same time as the second round of a presidential election, on a decentralization of political power that would give regions more say in their affairs, including a greater share of the taxes they levy and the power to make Russian the second official language.
Taruta said he is in regular contact with the separatists, mainly over the issue of freeing hostages. But he said the makeup of the separatist negotiating team keeps changing because of internal power struggles, with no clear center of decision-making power.Taruta said he is in regular contact with the separatists, mainly over the issue of freeing hostages. But he said the makeup of the separatist negotiating team keeps changing because of internal power struggles, with no clear center of decision-making power.
“The problem is our opponents,” he said. “They don’t have one single representative who has the rights and responsibility to implement any agreements.”“The problem is our opponents,” he said. “They don’t have one single representative who has the rights and responsibility to implement any agreements.”
Separatist leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk were adamant that the Ukrainian elections would not take place in their regions.Separatist leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk were adamant that the Ukrainian elections would not take place in their regions.
But Taruta said preparations were continuing, adding that police have been asked to provide adequate security for the process.But Taruta said preparations were continuing, adding that police have been asked to provide adequate security for the process.
Polls have indicated that most residents of eastern Ukraine would prefer to remain part of the country.Polls have indicated that most residents of eastern Ukraine would prefer to remain part of the country.
Still, many are deeply unhappy with the Western-leaning government in Kiev. They consider it illegal and in league with ultranationalist groups, and some worry that the large population of Russian speakers in the east will be treated as second-class citizens. Their fears have been magnified by aggressive Russian propaganda.Still, many are deeply unhappy with the Western-leaning government in Kiev. They consider it illegal and in league with ultranationalist groups, and some worry that the large population of Russian speakers in the east will be treated as second-class citizens. Their fears have been magnified by aggressive Russian propaganda.
Kunkle and Denyer reported from Donetsk, Ukraine. Abigail Hauslohner in Moscow and Daniela Deane in London contributed to this report.Kunkle and Denyer reported from Donetsk, Ukraine. Abigail Hauslohner in Moscow and Daniela Deane in London contributed to this report.