Conflict in eastern Ukraine result of confrontational path chosen by Russia – German FM

14:42, 29.05.2015 1 min read

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said that the conflict in Donbas is not the result of Ukraine's European aspirations, but rather the path of confrontation chosen by Russia.

"The annexation of Crimea in violation of all norms of international law and the ongoing military operations in the east of Ukraine are the path of confrontation chosen by Russia. The roots of this are not as some say, that Ukraine chose to step up its partnership with the EU... not a path of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU has led to the conflict, but a path of confrontation chosen by Russia," he said during the 8th Kyiv Security Forum on Friday.

Steinmeier said that the Minsk agreements were "imperfect documents," but they were the only chance for peace.

"The path of the implementation of the Minsk agreements is a political path, the path to avoid escalation," he added.