‘Sinking’ Minsk Agreements May Ruin France’s Reputation
In his recent documentary about the coup in Ukraine “Ukraine. Masks of the Revolution,” French director Paul Moreira challenged the official version of the Odessa atrocities.
Particularly, the film sheds light on the involvement of Ukrainian nationalist groups in the tragedy in Odessa in May 2014.
In response to this fact, Le Monde published a critical article, accusing Moreira of distorting facts.
In addition, Le Monde criticized the documentary for depicting Ukrainian lawmaker Oleg Tyagnibok as a “neo-Nazi.” It seems that to the French newspaper, Tyagnibok is just a “mentor of young savages who need to let off their inner distress,” an article in Boulevard Voltaire read.
Meanwhile, Kyiv representatives recently said they will consider only those articles of the Minsk agreements which correspond with the Ukrainian constitution and laws. The document was signed by Germany, Ukraine, Russia and France, under the so-called Normandy Four format. This means Kyiv’s act of defiance should a concern for Paris.
According to the Minsk agreements, Donbass should have received greater autonomy while Kyiv should have revised the constitution and passed a decentralization law. However, finally Kyiv simply “sent the other three leaders packing.”
“Monsieur Hollande, due to US interference, your Normandy format is now sinking like the Normandie liner sank once upon a time. You signed the agreements on behalf of France, and this signature should be respected,” the author wrote.
During the bloody events on Kyiv’s Independence Square in February 2014, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius signed an agreement between then-president Viktor Yanukovych and his opponents. Shortly after, Yanukovych was toppled, but Paris did not say a word in response, the article note. Since then, Kyiv has showed its contempt for Paris. And now Hollande is to blame, who is serving the interests of other nations.
Undoubtedly, amid rising tensions between Moscow and Kyiv, the idea to start talks between Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin was Hollande’s success. The Minsk talks have contributed to dialogue and launched the process of reconciliation. This is why France should not let the peace process be undermined. It is time for Francois Hollande to call on Kyiv to observe its obligations, and it is time to “think about France rather than its partners,” the article concluded.
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