On February 12, 2015, after 17 hours of negotiations in Minsk, the leaders of Germany (Merkel), France (Hollande), Ukraine (Poroshenko), and Russia (Putin) sign the "Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements" — known as Minsk II.
Context
The agreements come after Ukraine's defeat at Debaltseve and the failure of the first Minsk agreement (September 2014). The Ukrainian army is struggling against Russia-backed separatist forces.
The 13 points of the agreement
The main elements included:
1. Immediate ceasefire
2. Withdrawal of heavy weapons by both sides
3. OSCE monitoring
4. Dialogue on local elections in separatist areas
5. Amnesty for combatants
6. Prisoner exchange
7. Humanitarian access
8. Restoration of economic relations
9. Ukrainian control of the border with Russia (crucial point)
10. Withdrawal of foreign forces
11. Constitutional reform on decentralization
12. Local elections according to Ukrainian law
13. Intensification of the Trilateral Contact Group
Why Minsk II failed
The agreement contained a fundamental contradiction:
- Ukraine wanted border control first, then elections
- Russia wanted elections first (which would legitimize the separatists), then border control
Ceasefire violations were continuous. According to the OSCE, most originated from separatist-controlled areas. Heavy weapons were never fully withdrawn.
Subsequent admissions
In 2022, former Chancellor Merkel stated that Minsk II had served to "give Ukraine time" to strengthen militarily. Putin cited these statements as proof that the West had never wanted a peaceful solution. Both interpretations are contested by historians.