Not all people are deeply versed in political intricacies. However, at a minimum level, this is necessary for everyone. There is a real war in Ukraine. One way or another, it concerns all residents of the post-Soviet space. Diplomats try to resolve the conflict in various ways. If you delve into, be sure to stumble upon the expression "Norman" format. This phrase indicates only one of the political ways of influencing the conflicting parties. How does it differ from others, what are its features? Let's get it right.
Recall the essence of the conflict
At the end of 2013, another political crisis erupted in Ukraine . Some experts say that, in principle, it did not end, continuing for more than ten years, now flashing, then quiet for a while. This country, located in the very center of Europe, is a transit country for goods and energy. That is the importance of maintaining relative calm in it, on which the “Norman” format is working. This is very important for the economies of the surrounding states. After all, Europe and Russia are tightly connected with each other. Prior to the exacerbation of the crisis, trade cooperation steadily developed. They say that the Ukrainian conflict itself arose in connection with this, clearly visible progress in achieving serious economic interdependence. In Ukraine, a change of power. Not all of its citizens agreed with the form and essence of the new leadership. Crimea hastily changed state subordination, and an active separatist movement arose in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions . Kiev responded with an anti-terrorist operation. A real war broke out. The “Norman” format is such a negotiation process in which countries try to extinguish the armed conflict and translate its resolution into “peaceful tracks”. Efforts, it should be noted, are not always fruitful. But the complexity of the issue is great.
What is the "Norman" format
Now let's see who is dating. Indeed, the “Norman” format of negotiations is not the only form of diplomatic work aimed at resolving the conflict. By the way, he appeared almost by accident. Although this does not happen in diplomacy. But for the viewer, the emergence of such a format of meetings seemed a happy coincidence.
In June (sixth) of 2014, celebrations were held for the Allied landings on the shores of Normandy. It was there that V. Putin first met with the new president of Ukraine, P. Poroshenko. Short communication was organized by the leaders of France and Germany. From that moment the “Norman” format was born. These are negotiations related to the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, in which four stakeholders are participating. Representatives of France and Germany are delegated from the EU. And also Ukraine and Russia send their foreign ministers. As a rule, the “Norman” format is a meeting of the heads of foreign affairs agencies. Top management in this configuration communicated only a few times.
Differences from the “Geneva” format
It must be recalled that at first they tried to resolve the Ukrainian situation in a slightly different composition. As early as April 17, 2014, this issue was discussed by representatives of all the same parties, but with the participation of the United States. This format is called "Geneva". Its fundamental difference is the participation in the negotiations of overseas diplomats. They, of course, put pressure on the Europeans to realize their own goals. However, the problems and aspirations of the EU are not particularly taken into account.
Russia considered such a configuration of negotiators inappropriate. After all, war erupts on our continent. Therefore, it should be prevented by those states that directly concern it. Moreover, the position of the States seems ambiguous. They are often accused of unleashing hostilities, remembering the historical events of seventy years ago. This refers to the beginning of World War II. There, too, could not do without the States. And it was this state that received dividends from millions of deaths.
The essence of the "Norman" format
Having dealt with the participants, you need to understand what is the political meaning of just such a composition. The fact is that the “Norman” format did not appear by chance. This is an attempt (so far it is not clear whether successful or not) to "untie" the EU from the United States. It is no secret that the leadership of the European Union is not independent in making decisions. And one could look at the situation through the fingers, until it came to war. From the point of view of the Russian Federation, the States now need a "mess." Their duty is such that it is impossible to get rid of it without serious global troubles. According to experts, the US plan is not new. America contributes to the outbreak of heated conflict, while itself remaining on the sidelines. As in the last century, the States will help the warring parties with weapons and other necessary goods, thereby solving their own problems. Such is their simplified plan.
But there are no fools
The “Norman” format of the meeting arose as a counterweight to the aggressive, even somewhat vile plans of the overseas hegemon. No matter how the European Union depends on the United States, you want to live more. No country has a desire to become a victim. So the states of the Eurasian space are trying to show independence. That is, to solve problems together, without the direct involvement of the United States. After all, their inhabitants will have to die in a hot war, if not to take active protective actions. Moreover, the President of the Russian Federation has been trying to reach Angela Merkel for a long time. Many times in his speeches he touched on the topic of relations between the states of the continent, referring to free partnership without an overseas “shepherd”. The meeting in the “Norman” format is seen by the EU as a response to the geopolitical zugzwang that emerged in the Ukrainian conflict. Already in 2013, after Yanukovich’s flight from the country, it became clear that all sides would have to defend their interests. The situation is extremely difficult. And the completion of the exacerbation has not yet been seen.
Minsk meetings
It is difficult to fully understand what the "Norman" format means, unless you consider the other forms of political contacts. After all, the described political configuration does not take into account one of the main participants in the confrontation. Namely, representatives of the self-proclaimed republics are not involved in it. But how can you stop shooting if you do not take into account the opinion of a direct participant in the clashes? It is clear that such a situation does not suit Russia, which the "allies" are trying to make an aggressor. Or at least a participant in an armed conflict. At the end of July 2014, the first meeting in the Minsk format took place. By the name of the capital of Belarus, where the event took place. On the EU side, OSCE representatives are participating. Diplomats from the Russian Federation, as well as former President of Ukraine L. Kuchma, come to Minsk. Self-proclaimed republics are involved in the negotiations.
Format Nuances
Here we should take a few distractions and talk about the intricacies of politics. The common man understands that “putting up with” is necessary for those who shoot, or rather, their leadership. But this is not the case in geopolitics. The interests of the “big players” are taken into account here. They somehow forget about the people. The media tells us about the events, missing the fact that the formats are very different from each other. "Norman" looks quite official. Negotiations in it are conducted at the level of heads of state or their foreign affairs agencies. Another thing is Minsk. There are people who are not quite official. In any case, not all of them are internationally recognized. If they are forced to reckon with the OSCE or the Russian ambassador to Ukraine, then they look at L. Kuchma askew. And representatives of the republics are generally not taken into account. They can negotiate as much as they like, but they seem to be not obliged to fulfill their obligations. And no one will force. Diplomacy of the LPR and the DPR does not recognize, therefore, no one in the world will defend them at the UN, for example.
Format merging
The Russian Federation did not put up with a similar situation. It was necessary, as diplomats say, to legalize the republics. That is, to create a situation where the world community would have to acknowledge their existence, if not formally, but in essence. The goal was to see the side of the conflict in the republics, and therefore, the negotiations. To do this, by the way, was extremely difficult. The EU and the US resisted. There was a plan to "move" the negotiations to Astana. But he was not destined to materialize. I had to organize a meeting of the "Norman Four" in Minsk. Thus, the formats seemed to be combined for a while. But the point was that representatives of the republics were present. Consequently, they had to be recognized, albeit with reservations. They say that Merkel and Hollande met with them. By the way, we sat for more than sixteen hours. However, the deed was done! After the meeting described, the Minsk format (with the participation of the republics) was recognized in the world.
What's next?
This question is asked by all thinking people, if not planets, then the Eurasian continent for sure. The life of everyone in the literal sense of the word depends on whether peace comes on Ukrainian soil, and here's why. The "Norman" format aims to help create the conditions for the emergence of a new world order. Surely this is not everyone sees. However, experts directly say that the political system is changing right before our eyes. Day after day, situations unfold that make it possible to take another small step in the direction of a multipolar world. And he is impossible until the hegemon meets resistance from his closest allies. Other countries have long been showing "deaf" discontent. But the backbone of the USA has always been the EU. That it is necessary to "rebuild" in the first place. Here is the geopolitical meaning of the "Norman" format.