More commonly known as the Minsk-II accords, the agreements became the legal and political basis for deescalating the conflict in eastern Ukraine and intensifying negotiations within the Trilateral Contact Group. From the beginning, the accords were perceived with varying degrees of optimism/pessimism by its stakeholders and the international community at large. Several times in 2015, they appeared on the brink of collapse in the face of growing political and military tension in the Donbas region.

The Minsk-II agreements did have a major accomplishment – they helped to minimise hostilities on the ground and, thus, saved human lives on both sides of the frontline. In spite of the fact that the implementation of the 13 points of the Package of Measures is largely lagging behind, a year later, the accords remain the only legitimate foundation for the resolution of the Ukraine crisis.

Commemorating the first anniversary of the Minsk-II accords, the Minsk Dialogue track-II initiative, in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Germany), hosts an international conference in Belarus in order to facilitate a frank and in-depth exchange about their achievements, future challenges and lessons learned. Like a year earlier, Minsk will gather representatives of the Normandy quartet to discuss conflict resolution in Ukraine’s east, this time at expert level.

Track-II Diplomacy Format

The conference will be held under the Chatham House Rule in order to facilitate frank and open exchange. Government representatives will be invited as observers.

Participants

Leading experts from the Normandy group – Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France – and other European countries. Belarusian experts will perform the role of moderators and facilitators.

Conference Objectives

• Track record: to analyse the Minsk-II accords’ accomplishments and failures to date.
• Challenges: to map short- and longer-term challenges to the accords’ further implementation.
• Moving forward: to produce concrete policy recommendations to all stakeholders.
• Looking beyond Minsk-II: to start a discussion about the future of security in eastern Europe.

Expected Outcomes (Minsk Dialogue non-paper)

• A review of the latest developments in eastern Ukraine and within the Normandy quartet and the Trilateral Contact Group.
• International perspectives on the accomplishments and shortcomings of the Minsk-II accords.
• An account of major short- and longer-term challenges to the accords’ further implementation and to the security of eastern Europe at large.

Programme 

Thursday, 11 February