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[Guardian G.I.]

Some photos from the negotiations:

Spoiler: "No, seriously, what is this dreadful place?" (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Lukashenko waves to the journalists, or something (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: He also brought a bouquet of flowers for Merkel (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: A friendly meeting (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: "Can you stand still without arguing for once?" (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Merkel and Poroshenko discuss something (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: For journalists: vodka and Soviet Champagne (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: The journalists themselves had to spend the whole night inside the Independence Palace and wait for the countries' leaders (click to show/hide)

The press conference was originally scheduled at 12:00 local time (in about 8 minutes or so). The negotiations are still ongoing.

EDIT: RT's stream shows some commotion - the microphones are being tested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxrnlfXYo30

[MarcAFK]

Hah, Bored journalists, like I haven't seen that before. 
EDIT: I see no vodka or other stuff except for water in front of the journalists, no wonder they're bored.

[FritzPL]

Still no Polish side of the table, despite the thing happening at our doorstep, and us being the only country in the EU that borders both Russia and Ukraine.

[Guardian G.I.]

Putin has just spoken about the treaty on RT's Russian stream. Nothing definite, only standard diplomatic babble. Also, Kiev refuses to negotiate with the DNR and LNR directly.

EDIT: According to BBC, a ceasefire was actually agreed upon - it is set to begin on the 15th of February.

[Ukrainian Ranger]

February 15?

So, we will see a bloody three day assault of nearly encircled Debaltsevo then Russia will take time to resupply and regroup in preparation for the next major attack (Mariupol?)

[Sergarr]

nearly encircled Debaltsevo

"nearly"? It is fully encircled.

[scrdest]

Still no Polish side of the table, despite the thing happening at our doorstep, and us being the only country in the EU that borders both Russia and Ukraine.

Quite likely, it's a because, not a despite.

[Sheb]

Nah, the French-German duo taking EU policy in their hand is quite common. If those two agrees on something, the can probably ram it through the council.

[FritzPL]

True - the arguments against us being at Minsk were that we would be one-sided. Which is quite a known fact, but we are not at all willing to escalate the conflict; no one is, except for Putin, I believe.
I still think we should've been present at the negotiations. Historically, we got our own share of getting owned because some power-hungry warmonger decided he wanted all the neighbouring land, announced it loud and clear to other major countries at a conference to which we were not invited to, and then fucked those major countries, too.

[smjjames]

I love how Merkel and Hollande seem to be backing away from Poroshenko in the fifth pic like he said something wierd or something.

[miljan]

True - the arguments against us being at Minsk were that we would be one-sided. Which is quite a known fact, but we are not at all willing to escalate the conflict; no one is, except for Putin, I believe.
I still think we should've been present at the negotiations. Historically, we got our own share of getting owned because some power-hungry warmonger decided he wanted all the neighbouring land, announced it loud and clear to other major countries at a conference to which we were not invited to, and then fucked those major countries, too.

I dont understand, what would be the reason for polish to be there? Polish in past had a lot of share of being invaded and doing invasions on other countries so again not sure why would they be there, and what factor they are in all this at this present time. Except that they are great at anti russia propaganda, that I can obviously see from your biased post.

Anyway, this new agreement (how I understand it) is a mix bag.
The most negative thing for rebels is that they need to leave the territories they got in last months back on september positions.
And that borders will be controlled by ukraine by end of year if all requirements before it are met.

The pro russian are getting their small independence, but in ukraine (like federation, but without the name).
They will have:
- complete amnesty and non-discrimination of rebels
- right for managing language policy
- ability to make agreements between central government and local self-rule structures
- central Ukrainian govt will help with Donbass' social and economic development
- central Ukrainian govt will help Donbass to establish cooperation with neighboring Russian regions (!)
- local militia forces could be created to upkeep order in Donbass (!)
- status of all deputies and official elected during implementation of the agreement cannot be prematurely revoked 

Its funny every time ukraine army is at the break point west rush to sign some peace treaty.

I dont think this will last, as both ukraine and pro russians dont get exactly what they want. But the artillery moving away is really good, as shelling of cities will stop for some time. This will again be used for rearming of troops and preparation for new campaign in spring

[Sheb]

Guys, keep Russia out of this thread. Miljan, if you continue the passive-aggresiveness, I'll have to ask you to step out too.

[miljan]

Guys, keep Russia out of this thread. Miljan, if you continue the passive-aggresiveness, I'll have to ask you to step out too.

You are late 10 or more posts, including yours. But whatever.

[smjjames]

Guys, keep Russia out of this thread. Miljan, if you continue the passive-aggresiveness, I'll have to ask you to step out too.

Well, it's kind of dominating European politics atm anyway, outside of whatever more local stuff you have going on.

[Sheb]

Yeah, but Toady's been pretty clear that we should avoid the subject. The fact that it was starting to flame against is a nice indication that we shouldn't talk about it.