The Kerry-Lavrov meeting in Paris has been under way for more than 5
hours already. Will fate of Ukraine be decided by someone else again?
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/30/russia-ukraine-john-kerry-sergei-lavrov-paris
"Frankly speaking, we don't see any other way for the steady development
of the Ukrainian state apart from as a federation," he added. Under the
Russian plan, which Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin reportedly discussed
in a phone call initiated by Moscow on Friday, each region would have
control of its economy, taxes, culture, language, education and "external
economic and cultural connections with neighbouring countries or regions,"
Lavrov said.
Lavrov made no mention of the Ukraine elections or any possible withdrawal
from Crimea. Many analysts now predict that in any deal, the US and its
western allies, and thus Kiev, will be forced to accept the annexation as
a fait accompli
The Obama administration has insisted Russia withdraw its forces from
Crimea, reduce its military build-up on the eastern border, respect the
territorial integrity of Ukraine and support national polls due in May to
elect a new president and government.
The Russian proposal to radically alter the way Ukraine is governed and
administered is certain to arouse strong opposition in Kiev, where it will
be viewed by critics of Moscow's intervention in Crimea as a roundabout
way of breaking up or partitioning the country.
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