Ukraine crisis: What is the function of the Normandy format in the conflict with Putin's Russia?

Created: 01/26/2022, 17:44

By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi

The Normandy format serves as a central mechanism of diplomacy in the Ukraine conflict.

© Thibault Camus/picture alliance/dpa/AP

The Ukraine conflict is heating up again.

The West is mainly relying on diplomacy to find a solution.

The Normandy format is particularly important here.

Munich - A conflict has been raging between Ukraine and Russia since 2014, which regularly swells. The then pro-Russian Ukrainian government suspended an association agreement with the European Union, which was met with protests from the population. The long demonstrations led to a change of power, Russia occupied and annexed Crimea, which has so far not been recognized by the international community. In addition, pro-Russian separatists occupied areas in eastern Ukraine and founded so-called "people's republics" - also not recognized internationally.

Now the conflict is in another high phase.

The Russian army is gathering on the border with Ukraine.

Up to 100,000 soldiers are said to be stationed at the Ukrainian border.

In addition, troops will also be deployed to Belarus for a joint military exercise.

Ukraine fears another invasion.

The West warns Russia of economic consequences and wants to bring about a diplomatic solution.

The Normandy format in particular plays an important role here.

Ukraine crisis: West wants to prevent military conflict with diplomacy - Normandy format central

In the conflict with Russia over Ukraine, the West is also taking military steps.

The United States and Britain, for example, are supplying Ukraine with anti-tank missiles such as Javelin, while Turkey is supplying the country with Bayraktar TB2 drones.

European countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark and Spain provide ships and combat aircraft.

The US recently put 8,500 soldiers on alert and is considering increasing its presence in the Baltic states.

Nevertheless, a troop presence in Ukraine is ruled out.

A military conflict with Moscow is to be prevented with threats of economic sanctions and diplomacy.

This is where the Normandy format between Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia comes into play.

The four-way format is considered a central, even the most important mechanism for diplomatic talks in the context of the Ukraine conflict.

Normandy format: First meeting in 2014 - just a short time after the first escalation of the Ukraine crisis

"The term 'Normandy format' for a meeting at government level between Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine goes back to a first meeting in this constellation on June 6, 2014 on the sidelines of the commemoration of the Allied landings in Normandy," explains the Foreign Office on their website.

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), former French President Francois Hollande, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russia's ruler Vladimir Putin met on the day.

For the first time, the term "Normandy format" was coined for the meetings of these four countries.

The first meeting came just months after Crimea's controversial and internationally unrecognized referendum on incorporating the peninsula into the Russian Federation and the proclamation of pro-Russian "People's Republics" on Ukrainian territory.

For the first time since the beginning of the conflict, the heads of state of Ukraine and Russia appeared at the same table.

Since then, the format has particularly supported the implementation of the 2014 Minsk agreements.

Normandy format: parties want to implement the Minsk agreements - discussion about Ukraine

With the mediation of the OSCE, the representatives of Ukraine and Russia agreed on a ceasefire and on basic principles for a political solution to the conflict. In a joint statement, the heads of state and government of the Normandy format announced their commitment to the implementation of this package of measures and also reaffirmed their full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The specific goal of the Normandy format is therefore a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.

In addition to the first meeting on June 6, 2014, the heads of state and government and foreign ministers of the four countries met eight times on different occasions.

These meetings discussed, among other things, ceasefires, the implementation of the Minsk agreements, possible elections in areas occupied by pro-Russian separatists under OSCE supervision and the withdrawal of troops from certain areas.

In some cases, however, there were breaks of several years between the meetings.

The last meeting was held in Paris on December 9, 2019.

French President Emmanuel Macron invited the newly elected President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks with Merkel and Putin.

As a result of the summit, a summary document entitled “Overall Agreed Conclusions of the Normandy Format Paris Summit of 9 December 2019” was signed.

In this document, "immediate measures to stabilize the situation in the conflict area, measures to implement the political provisions of the Minsk agreements and follow-up measures" such as holding further meetings in the shortest possible time were agreed.

Normandy format: Meeting after a three-year break - Baerbock attaches particular importance to mechanism

After a little over three years, the Normandy format is now meeting again in the French capital of Paris, as the Ukraine conflict is escalating again and fears of a military conflict are steadily growing.

Political advisors to the four heads of state and government meet to discuss the crisis.

The new German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock (Greens), was particularly committed to bringing about another meeting after three years.

Immediately after taking office, she dealt intensively with the Ukraine crisis and even traveled to Ukraine and Russia.

In Moscow, she opposed the experienced and ice-cold Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and threatened "massive consequences" at every opportunity.

In her work on the Ukraine conflict, she attached particular importance to diplomatic talks as part of the Normandy format.

She stated several times that she wanted to "fill the format with life" again and urged Russia to return to the negotiating table - with success.

Normandy format: Evidence of German efforts to effectively resolve the Ukraine conflict

The Normandy format is important for Berlin in another respect.

Germany has been repeatedly targeted for refusing to supply arms to Ukraine.

The government in Berlin is accused of inaction and hesitation in dealing with Russia.

Security experts and voices from Ukraine keep shooting at German foreign and security policy because, apart from the threat of sanctions, there are sometimes clear statements, but above all actions against Russia.

However, it is important to note here that a military solution or heating up of the conflict would not be advantageous for either the West or Russia. Ukraine could turn into a bloody regional battlefield. This danger is apparently also recognized by the USA. At no time did the US government under President Joe Biden threaten military action, and it also strictly rejects any troop deployment to Ukraine. The weapons deliveries are only intended to deter Russia and to illustrate the high costs of an offensive.

Diplomacy is therefore considered almost exclusively.

The West has no intention of invading Ukraine with thousands of soldiers and getting involved in a war with Russia.

Nevertheless, Ukraine is not left alone and is being supported with political means as far as possible and de-escalation is being sought.

Progress is to be made with diplomacy.

The Normandy format offers an excellent basis for this, as it brings the two conflicting parties to one table in an uncomplicated mechanism with only two mediators and enables direct exchange at the highest level.

In this environment of political dialogue, the Normandy format - a key mechanism - demonstrates Germany's active role in efforts to resolve the conflict and thus its leading position in Europe.

Together with France, Germany is trying to peacefully overcome a crisis that is having a major impact on Europe, both politically and economically.

These efforts give Germany a high profile both at international and European level and confirm Berlin as a pioneer of diplomacy.

The criticism that Germany is doing nothing can be rejected with evidence - at least at the diplomatic level.