Light optimism and deep scepticism after the Minsk talks
February 14th, 2015Commentators wonder if the agreement reached by Europe, Russia and Ukraine in Minsk can be implemented and if it can prevent the escalation of the Ukraine crisis.
In Magyar Nemzet, Gábor Stier believes that even in the absence of a breakthrough, the agreement has laid the grounds for averting an escalation of the crisis. The conservative commentator, who in a series of previous opinions blamed the US rather than Russia for the Ukraine war, now gives all parties the credit for recognising that full-scale war would have immense negative implications for Ukraine, Russia and Europe. Despite all the differences, at least a general framework could be agreed upon, which is good news, even if it is still doubtful if the agreement will be put into practice, Stier surmises. In conclusion, he believes that the Minsk results give a ray of hope for Ukraine, Russia and Europe, while they represent a defeat for Washington which, according to Stier, is doing its best to exacerbate the tensions in Ukraine.
Signing the agreement will not automatically translate into actual cease-fire and peace, Gyula T. Máté cautions in Magyar Hírlap. Máté is highly sceptical whether and how the Minsk agreement could be implemented. Neither the consequences of escalation, nor the prospect of closer EU-Russian economic cooperation are likely to be strong enough incentives to create the demilitarized zone outlined in the agreement, the conservative pundit suspects. He continues by hinting that long-term peace is highly unlikely without a detailed roadmap for the federalization of Ukraine.