'Problems remain' in Ukraine talks
There remain “quite a number of problems” in negotiations aimed at ending fighting in eastern Ukraine, according to the French foreign minister.
Hours before a four-way summit in Belarus, Laurent Fabius told France Inter radio it was “very probable” but not certain that French President Francois Hollande would attend.
Mr Fabius said difficulties remain on the future of embattled eastern Ukraine, guarantees about the Ukraine-Russia border near the area, and the prospects of a possible ceasefire, weapons withdrawal and prisoner exchange.
He said the aim of the talks in Minsk is to win an accord, but “not just one on paper”.
Mr Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are set to mediate talks between Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Fighting in eastern Ukraine intensified yesterday as both sides pushed to make territorial gains ahead of the talks.
