Ukraine: no military truce for Orthodox Easter in Donbass

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits armed forces positions near the front line with Russian-backed separatists in Donbass region, Ukraine, April 8, 2021. via REUTERS - UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER

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2 min

In Ukraine, the situation remains very tense despite the announcement last week by Russia of the withdrawal of its troops who were massed on the Ukrainian border.

This Thursday, the belligerents failed to agree on a truce in the fighting on the occasion of the Orthodox Easter celebrations, which will be held this weekend.

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With our correspondent in Kiev, 

Stéphane Siohan

Negotiations have been held in recent days within the framework of the tripartite contact group made up of Ukraine, Russia, and the separatists, with a view to a ceasefire which would take effect at the time of the Easter holidays, which begin May 1 in Ukraine and Russia. 

But the discussions were unsuccessful and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the OSCE, notes that the exchanges of fire are maintained at a very high level between the belligerents. 

► Also to listen: Russia / Ukraine: the fear of a new war

On the diplomatic side, the Ukrainian authorities are now pushing for a

summit meeting

between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Poutine.

The Ukrainian president proposed a meeting in Donbass, his Russian counterpart invited him to Moscow to discuss bilateral issues, but in no case of the conflict in Donbass.

And now the Ukrainian side is pushing for a meeting on neutral ground, evoking, why not, a meeting at the Vatican. 

The only thing certain is that the heat stroke of the last few weeks has once again made the military situation in

Donbass

very unstable

. 

► See also: Russia has started to withdraw its troops massed at the Ukrainian border

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  • Russia

  • Ukraine

  • Defense

  • Diplomacy

  • Volodymyr Zelensky