Russian leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/vladimir-putin-a-brief-profile-of-the-russian-president-728">Vladimir Putin</a> will for the first time hold formal talks with Ukrainian counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volodymyr-zelensky-says-ukraine-getting-tired-of-trump-scandal-263215">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> over the conflict in Ukraine's east on Monday, in a much-anticipated summit in Paris.

No comprehensive peace deal is expected from the afternoon meeting -- mediated by French President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/emmanuel-macron-defends-wake-up-call-for-nato-after-talks-with-chief-265115">Emmanuel Macron</a> and German Chancellor Angela Merkel — but diplomats hope that the exercise will help to boost trust between the two men.

Thousands have been killed and one million have fled their homes since pro-Russia militias in eastern Ukraine launched a bid for independence in 2014 — kicking off a conflict that deepened Russia's estrangement from the West.

The separatists seized control of Donetsk and Lugansk regions shortly after Russia's annexation of Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula.

Diplomats have emphasised that the issue of Crimea — a seizure that gave Putin a popularity boost but led to international sanctions being imposed — is not on the table at the summit.&nbsp;

Kiev has made clear its determination to never give up the peninsula, which the international community still regards as part of Ukraine.

The Kremlin has sent signals that it is ready to work with Zelensky, who Putin has described as "likeable" and "sincere".&nbsp;

But Putin also will not want to return empty-handed and will be pushing for an easing of sanctions.

'Problem of trust'

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the Funke newspaper group ahead of the summit "we have to do everything we can... to make progress in the Ukrainian peace process", and described the conflict as "a festering wound in Europe".

Maas praised Zelensky for bringing "new momentum" to the talks, adding that "to make progress with the next difficult steps, Russia needs to make a move too".

The goals of Monday's meeting include agreeing to disband illegal militias, the departure of foreign fighters from Donetsk and Lugansk and Ukraine taking back control over its border with Russia, according to a French presidential source.

"There remains the problem of trust between the parties. This needs to be created before we can move forward," said the source, who asked not to be named.&nbsp;

Also key is agreeing on a calendar for elections to be held in Donetsk and Lugansk under Ukrainian law with the two regions enjoying special status — an idea known as the Steinmeier Formula.

"If the summit meeting is to be meaningful, it should have a result, and the result should very much be on the Steinmeier Formula," said Gerhard Mangott, professor of international relations at Austria's Innsbruck University.

"It remains to be seen whether Ukraine is willing to give up some of its pre-conditions for implementing the Steinmeier Formula."

'Wound of war'

Monday's meeting is the first such summit in three years and seeks to implement accords signed in Minsk in 2015 that call for the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the restoration of Kiev's control over its borders, wider autonomy, and the holding of local elections.

The French presidential source said it was not just Putin's strategic calculations that had impeded the implementation of the Minsk accords but also the "difficulties in Ukraine due to public opinion, divisions and the fundamental wound caused by the war."

The summit is a hugely delicate event for everyone involved, but particularly for Zelensky, who is under pressure not to cede ground to the Kremlin.

For Macron, the summit is a centrepiece of an increasingly bold foreign policy he is driving despite troubles at home, where transport workers have been on strike for days in a dispute over pension reforms.

Macron, who shocked NATO allies this year by declaring the alliance brain dead, has made clear his belief that Europe needs a strategic partnership with Russia.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin will for the first time hold formal talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky over the conflict in Ukraine's east on Monday, in a much-anticipated summit in Paris.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin will for the first time hold formal talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky over the conflict in Ukraine's east on Monday, in a much-anticipated summit in Paris. No comprehensive peace deal is expected from the afternoon meeting -- mediated by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel — but diplomats hope that the exercise will help to boost trust between the two men. Thousands have been killed and one million have fled their homes since pro-Russia militias in eastern Ukraine launched a bid for independence in 2014 — kicking off a conflict that deepened Russia's estrangement from the West. The separatists seized control of Donetsk and Lugansk regions shortly after Russia's annexation of Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula. Diplomats have emphasised that the issue of Crimea — a seizure that gave Putin a popularity boost but led to international sanctions being imposed — is not on the table at the summit. Kiev has made clear its determination to never give up the peninsula, which the international community still regards as part of Ukraine. The Kremlin has sent signals that it is ready to work with Zelensky, who Putin has described as "likeable" and "sincere". But Putin also will not want to return empty-handed and will be pushing for an easing of sanctions. 'Problem of trust' German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the Funke newspaper group ahead of the summit "we have to do everything we can... to make progress in the Ukrainian peace process", and described the conflict as "a festering wound in Europe". Maas praised Zelensky for bringing "new momentum" to the talks, adding that "to make progress with the next difficult steps, Russia needs to make a move too". The goals of Monday's meeting include agreeing to disband illegal militias, the departure of foreign fighters from Donetsk and Lugansk and Ukraine taking back control over its border with Russia, according to a French presidential source. "There remains the problem of trust between the parties. This needs to be created before we can move forward," said the source, who asked not to be named. Also key is agreeing on a calendar for elections to be held in Donetsk and Lugansk under Ukrainian law with the two regions enjoying special status — an idea known as the Steinmeier Formula. "If the summit meeting is to be meaningful, it should have a result, and the result should very much be on the Steinmeier Formula," said Gerhard Mangott, professor of international relations at Austria's Innsbruck University. "It remains to be seen whether Ukraine is willing to give up some of its pre-conditions for implementing the Steinmeier Formula." 'Wound of war' Monday's meeting is the first such summit in three years and seeks to implement accords signed in Minsk in 2015 that call for the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the restoration of Kiev's control over its borders, wider autonomy, and the holding of local elections. The French presidential source said it was not just Putin's strategic calculations that had impeded the implementation of the Minsk accords but also the "difficulties in Ukraine due to public opinion, divisions and the fundamental wound caused by the war." The summit is a hugely delicate event for everyone involved, but particularly for Zelensky, who is under pressure not to cede ground to the Kremlin. For Macron, the summit is a centrepiece of an increasingly bold foreign policy he is driving despite troubles at home, where transport workers have been on strike for days in a dispute over pension reforms. Macron, who shocked NATO allies this year by declaring the alliance brain dead, has made clear his belief that Europe needs a strategic partnership with Russia.

Vladimir Putin set for landmark Paris talks on Ukraine conflict

A sudden surge in clashes between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed rebels killed at least seven people on Monday despite a tattered truce in Ukraine&#39;s war-scarred east.

The overall death toll reported for the past two days rose to 12 after the bloodiest outburst of violence since the former Soviet republic and its foes last month agreed an &quot;indefinite&quot; ceasefire.

The fighting came as Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko urged German Chancellor Angela Merkel to step up economic sanctions against Moscow, and fears grew in Kiev that US support could wane should President Donald Trump draw closer to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

But Poroshenko cut short his visit to Berlin after hearing news of the deaths, his spokesman told AFP.

&quot;Since Sunday, there have been continuing clashes and heavy attacks on our positions,&quot; Ukraine&#39;s 72nd army brigade spokeswoman Olena Mokrynchuk told AFP.

The military in Kiev said three of its soldiers had died overnight.

An AFP reporter in the town of Avdiivka near the de facto rebel capital Donetsk saw Kiev troops capture three rebels on Monday. Two of them later died of their wounds.

The electricity has been off since Sunday and water supplies are sporadic in Avdiivka amid the shelling and gunfire.

The separatists also reported two civilians deaths from Ukrainian fire around Donetsk.

The bloodshed put at risk yet another attempt by exasperated mediators to end one of Europe&#39;s bloodiest conflicts since the 1990s Balkans wars.The violence coincided with Poroshenko&#39;s visit to Berlin to meet ally Merkel -- the German leader who along with French President Francois Hollande helped hammer out a 2015 peace deal in the Belarusian capital Minsk that has failed to achieve results.

&quot;We are certain that today we need decisive and united action that can motivate Russia to sit at the negotiating table and fully implement the Minsk agreements -- particularly its security component -- to stop civilians from dying,&quot; Poroshenko said in Berlin before entering the meeting.

&quot;We believe that not only should the sanctions be maintained, but they should be intensified as well,&quot; he added.

Merkel said she found the situation &quot;worrying&quot; but gave no indication on whether she intended to add to the pressure on Putin.

The east of Ukraine comprises coal mines and steel mills whose possession is coveted by both sides of the war, which broke out in April 2014.

The clashes started in the Russian-border regions of Donetsk and Lugansk after a February 2014 revolution ousted Ukraine&#39;s Moscow-backed leader and put Kiev on a pro-Western course.

The sides have since agreed to a series of temporary ceasefires and an &quot;indefinite&quot; one on December 23, but none have been respected.

The conflict has killed nearly 10,000 people -- more than half of them civilians -- and plunged Moscow`s relations with the West to a post-Cold War low.

Russia denies backing the insurgents and only admits that &quot;volunteers&quot; and off duty soldiers had entered the war zone of their own free will.

(AFP)

Death toll in the violence rose to 12 even as Ukraine's President, on a visit to Germany, pressed for more sanctions against Moscow

A sudden surge in clashes between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed rebels killed at least seven people on Monday despite a tattered truce in Ukraine's war-scarred east. The overall death toll reported for the past two days rose to 12 after the bloodiest outburst of violence since the former Soviet republic and its foes last month agreed an "indefinite" ceasefire. The fighting came as Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko urged German Chancellor Angela Merkel to step up economic sanctions against Moscow, and fears grew in Kiev that US support could wane should President Donald Trump draw closer to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. But Poroshenko cut short his visit to Berlin after hearing news of the deaths, his spokesman told AFP. "Since Sunday, there have been continuing clashes and heavy attacks on our positions," Ukraine's 72nd army brigade spokeswoman Olena Mokrynchuk told AFP. The military in Kiev said three of its soldiers had died overnight. An AFP reporter in the town of Avdiivka near the de facto rebel capital Donetsk saw Kiev troops capture three rebels on Monday. Two of them later died of their wounds. The electricity has been off since Sunday and water supplies are sporadic in Avdiivka amid the shelling and gunfire. The separatists also reported two civilians deaths from Ukrainian fire around Donetsk. The bloodshed put at risk yet another attempt by exasperated mediators to end one of Europe's bloodiest conflicts since the 1990s Balkans wars.The violence coincided with Poroshenko's visit to Berlin to meet ally Merkel -- the German leader who along with French President Francois Hollande helped hammer out a 2015 peace deal in the Belarusian capital Minsk that has failed to achieve results. "We are certain that today we need decisive and united action that can motivate Russia to sit at the negotiating table and fully implement the Minsk agreements -- particularly its security component -- to stop civilians from dying," Poroshenko said in Berlin before entering the meeting. "We believe that not only should the sanctions be maintained, but they should be intensified as well," he added. Merkel said she found the situation "worrying" but gave no indication on whether she intended to add to the pressure on Putin. The east of Ukraine comprises coal mines and steel mills whose possession is coveted by both sides of the war, which broke out in April 2014. The clashes started in the Russian-border regions of Donetsk and Lugansk after a February 2014 revolution ousted Ukraine's Moscow-backed leader and put Kiev on a pro-Western course. The sides have since agreed to a series of temporary ceasefires and an "indefinite" one on December 23, but none have been respected. The conflict has killed nearly 10,000 people -- more than half of them civilians -- and plunged Moscow`s relations with the West to a post-Cold War low. Russia denies backing the insurgents and only admits that "volunteers" and off duty soldiers had entered the war zone of their own free will. (AFP)

Ukraine: Fresh violence erupts between govt forces and Russia-backed rebels as month-long truce frays

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Vladimir Putin set for landmark Paris talks on Ukraine conflict

Ukraine: Fresh violence erupts between govt forces and Russia-backed rebels as month-long truce frays