European leaders propose peace plan in Ukraine

In an attempt to establish peace by ending the prolonged Ukrainian crisis, the leaders of France and Germany went to Kiev (Capital of Ukraine) and Moscow (Capital Russia) with a proposal to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Though it appears to be a surprise move, it came after US’s stance on the issue. US is considering of giving Ukraine lethal weapons which is the thing Europeans fear could spark even more hostilities.

What is Ukrainian crisis?

• A prolonged crisis in Ukraine began on 21 November 2013, when then president Viktor Yanukovych suspended preparations for the implementation of an association agreement with the European Union.
• This decision resulted in mass protests by its opponents, known as the “Euromaidan”.
• After months of such protests, Yanukovych was ousted by the protesters on 22 February 2014, when he fled the Ukrainian capital city of Kiev.
• Following his ousting, unrest enveloped the largely Russophone eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, from where he had drawn most of his support.
• An ensuing political crisis in Ukrainian autonomous region of Crimea resulted in the annexation of Crimea by Russia on 18 March.
• Subsequently, unrest in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine evolved into a war between the post-revolutionary Ukrainian government and pro-Russian insurgents.