Daily Current Affairs : 19th February 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CSE

Topics Covered

  1. Minsk Agreements
  2. Facts for Prelims

1 . Minsk Agreement


Context : The Russian Embassy here on Friday welcomed “India’s balanced, principled and independent approach” in response to India’s statement at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) welcoming the implementation of the Minsk agreements which, it said, provided a basis for a “negotiated and peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine.” Any steps that ‘‘increase tension may best be avoided by all sides”, it stated.

What are the Minsk agreements?

  • Minsk I : Ukraine and the Russia-backed separatists agreed on a 12-point ceasefire deal in September 2014. Its provisions included prisoner exchanges, deliveries of humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of heavy weapons. However, the agreement quickly broke down, with violations by both sides.
  • Minsk II : Representatives of Russia, Ukraine, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the leaders of separatist-held regions Donetsk and Luhansk signed a 13-point agreement in February 2015. The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine gathered in Minsk to mark the occasion and issued a declaration of support. The deal’s 13 points were:
    • Immediate, comprehensive ceasefire.
    • Withdrawal of heavy weapons by both sides.
    • OSCE monitoring.
    • Dialogue on interim self-government for Donetsk and Luhansk, in accordance with Ukrainian law, and acknowledgement of special status by parliament.
    • Pardon, amnesty for fighters.
    • Exchange of hostages, prisoners.
    • Humanitarian assistance.
    • Resumption of socioeconomic ties, including pensions.
    • Ukraine to restore control of state border.
    • Withdrawal of foreign armed formations, military equipment, mercenaries.
    • Constitutional reform in Ukraine including decentralisation, with specific mention of Donetsk and Luhansk.
    • Elections in Donetsk and Luhansk.
    • Intensify Trilateral Contact Group’s work including representatives of Russia, Ukraine and OSCE.

Why has the 2015 agreement failed to end fighting in eastern Ukraine?

  • The Minsk II deal set out military and political steps that remain unimplemented.
  • A major blockage has been Russia’s insistence that it is not a party to the conflict and therefore is not bound by its terms.
  • In general, Moscow and Kyiv interpret the pact very differently, leading to what has been dubbed by some observers as the “Minsk conundrum”.

What is the ‘Minsk conundrum’?

  • Ukraine sees the 2015 agreement as an instrument to re-establish control over the rebel territories.
  • It wants a ceasefire, control of the Russia-Ukraine border, elections in the Donbas, and a limited devolution of power to the separatists – in that order.
  • Russia views the deal as obliging Ukraine to grant rebel authorities in Donbas comprehensive autonomy and representation in the central government, effectively giving Moscow the power to veto Kyiv’s foreign policy choices. Only then would Russia return the Russia-Ukraine border to Kyiv’s control.

Why is the agreement in focus now, and how might it help resolve the crisis?

  • The Minsk II deal offers a vehicle for direct talks between Ukraine and Russia and, due to France’s mediating role in the agreement, provides Macron with the opportunity to play the peacemaker on the world stage as he gears up for re-election at home.
  • Moscow may see Minsk II as a way to guarantee its central security demand – that Ukraine is never allowed to join NATO. Washington and NATO have already rejected that demand.
  • For ex-Soviet state Ukraine, the deal could present an opportunity to wrest back control of its border with Russia and end the threat of Moscow ordering another invasion, at least for now.
  • Kyiv says it will never allow Russia to have a de facto veto on Ukrainian foreign policy decisions, and many in Ukraine see the fulfilment of Minsk II as a concession to Russian aggression. But there may be room for compromise – all parties have expressed willingness for dialogue.

2 . Facts for Prelims


Child Restraint System

  • The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sent an advisory to all airline operators to implement a Child Restraint System specifically designed to protect and restrain an infant or child during all phases of flight.
  • A Child Restraint System typically has an internal harness and belt combination. “The device needs to interface with the aircraft seat. This includes devices that are secured using the aircraft seat belt as well as systems that secure the device to the aircraft seat
  • The proper use of restraints was one of the most basic and important factors in surviving an accident. “It is not possible for a parent to physically restrain an infant or child
  • The safest way to secure an infant or child on board an aircraft was a Child Restraint System in a dedicated seat appropriate for that infant or child.

Nowcasting Model

  • SBI’s Nowcasting Model forecasts GDP growth based on 41 high frequency indicators associated with industry activity, service activity, and global economy.

Indian Army’s bent-toed gecko

  • A team of herpetologists have recorded a new species of bent-toed gecko from a wooded part of the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya. Its scientific name is Crytodactylus exercitus and English name is Indian Army’s bent-toed gecko. Exercitus in Latin means army.
  • “The name was given to honour the Army for its services to the country. The military station where the bent-toed gecko was discovered was also a factor behind its name,

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