Putin Meets Merkel And Hollande In Paris For Ukraine Talks

By Dan Alexe
Contributing Editor, New Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting the leaders of Ukraine, France and Germany today in a revived European push to bring peace to eastern Ukraine.

The long-awaited summit in Paris on Friday is being overshadowed by international concerns about Russia’s military intervention in Syria this week.

A senior French diplomat expressed guarded optimism about Friday’s talks, which are expected to address more autonomy for eastern regions and withdrawing weapons.

French President Francois Hollande, in proposing the meeting, praised progress in implementing a troubled February peace deal and said if that continues, “then I will argue for lifting the sanctions.” EU sanctions and a subsequent Russian embargo have hurt many European companies.

The violence in Ukraine has mostly subsided since Sept. 1, when the parliament in Kiev backed giving more autonomy to rebel-held areas, in line with a peace deal.

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http://neurope.eu/article/putin-meets-merkel-and-hollade-in-paris-for-ukraine-talks/