Ukraine in Arabic | Germany FM sees no reason for optimism in Ukraine
KYIV/Ukraine in Arabic/ German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday in Moscow there were no grounds for optimism in the current stand-off between Russia and Ukraine, and all sides had to work to implement a ceasefire struck in September.
"There is no reason for optimism in the current situation," Steinmeier said at a joint news conference with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
But, highlighting deep splits over the conflict, he called for dialogue between Kiev and pro-Russian rebels that would take into account the rebels' own voting on Nov. 2, which they held in parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that they control.
The elections were not recognized by the West, which accuses Russia of supporting and arming the rebels.
"The main task now is to continue sustainable direct dialogue between Kiev and Donetsk and Luhansk, especially in the context of elections held in Ukraine and on the Ukrainian territory controlled by Donetsk and Luhansk representatives," Lavrov said.
More than 4,000 people have been killed since the separatist rebellions erupted in eastern Ukraine in April.
Steinmeier called for a division line between Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russian rebels to be drawn as soon as possible in order to preserve peace.
"Even if the main obligations have not been fulfilled, it would be a huge loss to reject [the Minsk agreement]," Steinmeier said after talks with Lavrov in Moscow.
Lavrov spoke of a Russian-German "partnership," but highlighted the deep divisions between Russia and the West when he called for Kyiv to take into account recent elections in rebel-held Luhansk and Donetsk. Kyiv and the West have refused to recognize the results of those elections.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel held several hours of inconclusive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last weekend at the G20 summit in Brisbane, Australia. Merkel has said Russia's recent destabilizing policies, specifically the annexation of Crimea, "challenges the peaceful order of Europe."
Serious military buildup
NATO has accused Russia of propping up rebels in eastern Ukraine with weapons and troops
The discussions are taking place after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg accused Russia on Tuesday of a "serious military buildup" both in eastern Ukraine, and in Russia.
"We see the movement of troops, of equipment, of tanks, of artillery and also advanced air defense systems," Stoltenberg said before holding talks with EU defense ministers in Brussels. He called for Russia to pull back its forces and respect the terms of the Minsk agreement.
Moscow has vigorously denied accusations of supporting the rebels with troops and weapons.