Kyiv – The President Elect of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko is to participate in the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the deployment of the Allied Powers army in Normandy, France today. The Ukrainian leader was invited to the event by the French President Francois Hollande. During the visit Petro Poroshenko might have “certain contact” with Vladimir Putin, however a separate meeting has not been planned. This was reported by the Russian President’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov. What might this “contact” look like and what could Poroshenko speak about with Putin?
Diplomatic dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv is already underway, supposes the expert of the National Institute of International Security Problems Maksym Rozumniy. According to him, this is testified to, in particular, by the plans regarding the participation of the Russian ambassador Mikhail Zurabov in the inauguration ceremony of the newly-elected President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. Thus, Poroshenko is unlikely to avoid his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin in France, thinks the expert.
“I don’t think that Poroshenko should turn his back, make it look like he does not notice Putin’s presence. But, of course, he should not extend his hand in greeting either. There has to be some middle ground: a greeting without a handshake, with a nod of the head, possibly, the exchange of a couple of sentences, say, about the weather,” says Rozumniy.
There is a clear understanding that Holland will find an opportunity for the two leaders to talk – Chaliy
Meanwhile former deputy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleksandr Chaliy assured live on Radio Svoboda that the contact and exchange of opinions between Petro Poroshenko and Vladimir Putin will definitely take place.
“There is a clear understanding that Hollande will find an opportunity for the two leaders to speak. It is most probable that there will be no formal instances for a meeting, however in the multilateral format, that contact will occur and there will be a certain exchange of thoughts, I am convinced of this already. Though I was a bit skeptical, today I am convinced. We all have to formulate the agenda and strategic vision of our relations with Russia. I am convinced that in Paris the partners will, at least, look to each other,” emphasises Chaliy.
The issue of Russia stopping terrorist aggression has to be raised – Paliy
The form of communication between Putin and Potoshenko is a second-rate issue, the primary one is the result, notes political expert Oleksandr Paliy. Meanwhile, according to him, the Ukrainian leader has to demonstrate firmness of character and confidence in his position to reach his goals.
“Even during war, people do conduct talks. The issue of Russia stopping terrorist aggression has to be raised. ‘Take your people away,’ is what he has to say. ‘And then we will talk more concretely.’ For him to take away the terrorists, stop the support, both military and financial. This is the key issue now,” says Paliy.
Meanwhile Vladimir Putin began his working visit to France with a meeting with the UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who intended to discuss measures of regulating the situation in Ukraine with Putin.
As Russian agencies note, the first meeting since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine between Putin and Cameron began without a handshake. The talks were organised in the official pavilion of the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Source: Radio Svoboda
Translated by Mariya Shcherbinina
