(VOVworld) - Peace talks between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine will be held in Minsk on Wednesday to seek a solution to the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
The Minsk peace talks are seen as the last chance for peace. The talks are the outcome of a meeting in Moscow last Friday between Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Francois Hollande.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and French President Francois Hollande meet to talk about the Ukraine crisis. (Photo: Reuters)

Promising signs
After meeting with Chancellor Merkel at the White House on Tuesday, US President Barack Obama agreed to suspend the supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine. Mr. Obama expressed his hope that Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande will reach an agreement with President Putin to end the 10-month long conflict. The US President’s decision eased tension between the US and the European Union and relieved Ms Merkel who had said earlier that the supply of weapons to the Ukrainian army would fuel the conflict in the region. Addressing the Munich Security Conference last Saturday, Ms Merkel said Berlin wants not to confront but to cooperate with Russia for the sake of security in Europe.
Meanwhile, at a meeting in Brussels on Monday, EU Foreign Ministers decided to delay the imposition of new sanctions against Russia.
Numerous challenges
Despite a number of positive signs, numerous challenges lie ahead. German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier said it’s uncertain that Ukraine and Russia can reach a political agreement even though all parties are making efforts to ensure the meeting’s success. At the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Chancellor Merkel said that though she is not so sure about the success of the Minsk meeting, all parties are pursuing every opportunity. US President Barack Obama is not very optimistic about the summit’s outcomes. He has warned that the US will continue imposing sanctions on Russia and supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine unless the Minsk meeting produces peace.
Meanwhile, fighting continues in eastern Ukraine causing mounting casualties among both soldiers and civilians. The 10-month long conflict in Ukraine has left more than 5,600 dead. Kiev accuses the separatists of stockpiling heavy weapons to prepare for a new campaign.
Moscow’s stance at the Minsk summit on Wednesday will decide the situation in Ukraine and the subsequent actions of the US and the EU. The West has demanded that Putin prove Russia wishes peace in Ukraine. President Putin says that Russia doesn’t want and will not participate in any war.