the New composition of the Ukrainian negotiators in the Contact group on conflict settlement in the Donbass on the first attempt proved that it does not differ from its predecessors. According to the representative of Russia Boris Gryzlov, they have demonstrated an extreme inability, by putting a meeting on the brink of collapse. As a result and failed to even agree on additional conditions of the cease-fire.
Remote negotiations began on 14 April and lasted till the evening. Initially, they were linked with big hopes as on the eve of the Deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Dmitry Kozak flew to Berlin to discuss settlement of the conflict in the Donbass, and before that he met with the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak. In both cases, the Russian politician has told about successes, which can give new impulses for the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
it was Expected that the parties to the conflict finally will create a consultative Council to the Contact group, which will include experts from Kiev, DNR and LC. Despite the fact that Ukraine and the breakaway Republic of differently treated its functions, the authorities on both sides of the front line was “for”. Against spoke only Ukrainian neo-Nazis, France and Germany, which along with Russia had to send its observers there, chose to remain silent.
In the end, as said the head of the foreign Minister Natalia Nikonorova, the new representatives of Ukraine in the negotiations decided to start with a clean slate. In particular, they have to even discuss the proposals that have seemingly came to an understanding. The Ukrainian envoys offered the Donetsk and Lugansk what they can’t agree, so DNR and LNR have to spend all the time to explain why they do not fulfil the conditions of Kiev.
Recall that in the new composition of the Ukrainian delegation includes members of the government of Ukraine and heads of committees of the Verkhovna Rada. According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, the talks may 14, they said that Kyiv will not hold elections in the DNI and LC to the complete disarmament of the breakaway republics and transitions under the control of Ukraine’s border with Russia. In addition, the Ukrainian authorities are not going to fix the special status of Donbass in the country’s Constitution. Accordingly, it is a direct violation of the Minsk agreements.
Until now, the relative progress has been made in the field maintain at least a relative lull at the front, but now and then the conflict parties are not agreed. First, Kiev has refused to make public statements on the prohibition of offensive operations and diversionary attacks. Secondly, he didn’t want to publicly announce the termination fire. Thirdly, they refused to discuss the violation in a telephone mode, for example, in order to quickly stop the clash.How in this situation it is important to continue talks with Kiev on the settlement of the conflict in the Donbas, “MK” has found out from the experts.
Vladimir Zharikhin, Deputy head of the CIS Institute:
– unfortunately, neither those who represent Ukraine in the Contact group, nor President Vladimir Zelensky can’t negotiate to resolve the conflict. Everything is decided for them, including in the United States. Zelensky has demonstrated its complete inability to make decisions in the international arena and inside the country. In addition to the Donbass a Prime example of this is the appointment of Mikhail Saakashvili. As long as Washington will be interesting to keep a hot spot in Eastern Europe, the conflict in the Donbass will not end. And the interest is to create problems for Russia and for European countries.
While no US team will go the representatives of Kiev will be playing the fool. They will make promises, then take it back, and so on. In this context a new meeting “channel four” loses its meaning. There’s just no one to talk to. May be better to negotiate directly with the United States, as was done previously. The Contact group has a small space for maneuver, to negotiate a ceasefire and exchange of prisoners, but no more.
a Year ago, Zelensky had been high hopes, but why did he win? The President of Ukraine became the person who continues the policies of Petro Poroshenko in the interests of the United States, but is more young and pleasant for Ukrainians character. In addition, it depends of the West and even financially, thanks to loans from the IMF. These loans, he has to work, including personnel policy, law and so on. In fact, before
Zelensky while the task is not to perform the Minsk agreement, and to freeze their execution.
Denis Denisov, head of the Institute for peace initiatives and conflict resolution:
In recent years, almost no results from the talks was not.Implemented only exchanges of prisoners, and to a limited extent. However, the negotiations need to continue, as the future position of the parties may change, and the presence of political will it will be possible to propose concrete steps to resolve the conflict. Zelensky is now completely duplicates the position of his predecessor, Petro Poroshenko. Either he was a year ago, just lied to his voters to win the presidential election, or he does not understand politics, including what happens in his own country.
Nothing new in the conflict in the Donbass no. Similars of situations over the last 100 years there have been many. Importantly, the initiatives were studied and put forward on the basis of their feasibility. For example, Kiev has decided to raise the status of their representatives in the negotiations. Could they advance to coordinate the positions of the old and new negotiators, and then to enter the dialogue in a Contact group? If they just want to be accountable to the world community about their great initiatives, then all right, but the resolution of the conflict is not irrelevant.
