Germany has modest hopes for Ukraine talks November 29November 28, 2016 - 18:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - There is little chance of major progress on ending fighting in eastern Ukraine, Germany's Foreign Ministry said on Monday, November 28, ahead of international talks, according to Reuters. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is due to meet his counterparts from France, Ukraine and Russia in Minsk on Tuesday to review progress on implementing last year's ceasefire accord and on a road map the leaders of the four countries agreed to draw up in November. Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer told reporters Germany hoped Ukraine and Russia would agree to disengage their forces in some additional areas beyond the three "hot spots" agreed earlier. He said officials hoped to see clear signals from the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers that they remained committed to implementing the ceasefire accord and to constructing a road map for doing so. "I don't think it's a big secret that the expectations of Mr. Steinmeier for the meeting tomorrow are modest," Schaefer said. "Neither the intensive pre-negotiations and discussions of the last months nor the public statements made by the parties provide much hope for a sensational breakthrough." He added: "We have the impression that the conflict parties have dug into their trenches and are not able to really get a handle on the ceasefire violations and stop the shooting." Separatist violence erupted in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and has killed more than 9,000 people. The west blames Russia for aiding the separatists and has imposed economic sanctions on Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week said he was willing to attend four-way talks on the conflict if German and French mediators believed it would be useful, but said there was "a fairly serious risk that this could turn out to be a meeting for the sake of meeting." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |