Ukraine hosts national unity talks to end crisis

Ukraine's acting president Oleksandr Tuchynov has lashed out at Russia and separatist groups in the East of Ukraine. He spoke at the start of a roundtable dialogue as part of an initiative of the organization for security and cooperation in Europe. The roundtable had also discussed preparation for the upcoming presidential vote in the country scheduled for May 25.

The OSCE is hoping that this is the first step in diffusing tensions in Ukraine. A roundtable-format, due o be copied in a number of key cities, including in the east and south. 


The Kiev roundtable is notable for the participants it’s drawn in: the current leadership, two former presidents -- one from the East and one from the West, the presidential candidates, representatives from the country’s various regions, and MPs from the different political parties. But also notable is who is missing: representatives from the eastern separatists groups that have a declared independence. 

The acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsentuk saying in their opening comments, that they want to hear from people in East, but through words not guns. Kiev insists it won’t speak to quote "terrorists, which is how it views those groups. And it’s a position essentially backed by Europe. German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying on Wednesday that those who use violence can’t possibly come to the negotiating table. 

Critics say it can hardly be a roundtable without them. But, the OSCE hopes these discussions can serve as a catalyst for addressing some of the key issues, like decentralization and language issues which initially sparked tensions. For its part, the government in Kiev appears keen to talk, particularly since national elections are coming up, and also because of the increasing lose of lives. But officials here insist that they - and not the OSCE-should ultimately be at the forefront of any national reconciliation and negotiations.
[cntv.cn]
15/5/14