In an interview to EurAsia Daily, Director of the Center of Political and Conflict Studies in Kiev Mikhail Pogrebinsky shared his views regarding the upcoming meeting between the leaders of France, Germany and Ukraine in Berlin.
Pogrebinsky stated that the forthcoming meeting cannot be classed as a "Normandy" format summit.
"According to Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this meeting is Poroshenko's initiative, and he invited [German Chancellor] Merkel and [French President] Hollande to Kiev, but they have not arrived and [therefore] he will go to [Berlin]," Pogrebinsky elaborated.
"But from my point of view this meeting was initiated by [Russian President] Putin, Merkel and Hollande. It only makes sense to hold a summit without Putin… if they aim to exert pressure on Poroshenko, there can be no other reason," the expert underscored, adding that, in his opinion, Petro Poroshenko's politically incorrect verbal attacks against Russia and the Kremlin made him a pariah in the eyes of the Russian leadership.
"They [European diplomats] avoid discussing the issue publicly, but they have raised the question with [Ukrainian] lawmakers and talked it over with me in private conversations, [that is why] I understand clearly that they know about it," Pogrebinsky said.
The point is that he is not making efforts to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine, but aggravating further tensions in the region.
Furthermore, Kiev is currently making preparations for a serious military campaign, Pogrebinsky underscored.
In light of this, "Merkel's and Holland's mission will be to stop [Poroshenko] and bring him to his senses," the expert emphasized.
