Four-Way Talks On Ukraine Underway In Paris
PARIS (AP) -- Talks about a fragile peace deal for Ukraine are underway in Paris between the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France.
The meeting at the French Foreign Ministry comes amid scattered violence and uncertainty that the accord will hold — in particular a promised withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line.
Ukraine delayed the pullout Monday, blaming continuing attacks from separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.
Under a peace agreement reached Feb. 12 by France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, both sides must withdraw their heavy weapons 25 to 70 kilometers (15 to 45 miles) back to create a buffer zone.
The ministers meeting Tuesday in Paris are Laurent Fabius of France, Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany, Sergey Lavrov of Russia and Pavlo Klimkin of Ukraine.
A change of pace...
From RFE/RL's News Desk:
Lithuania will renew military conscription for the first time since 2008, amid worries over Russian assertiveness in the Baltic region.
The State Defense Council made the decision on February 24.
President Dalia Grybauskaite's office said it was motivated by “the geopolitical situation and threats to the state's security.”
"We must temporarily renew mandatory military service," Grybauskaite told reporters. "The current geopolitical environment requires us to enhance and accelerate army recruitment."
Under the proposal, compulsory military service is to be renewed for a five year period.
Conscription would apply to men between the ages of 19 and 26.
The plan is to draft between 3,000 and 3,500 men each year.
Grybauskaite has made public in recent months her concerns about Russia's aggressive behavior and the potential threat to the Baltic states.