Ukraine will demand to abandon further talks on Donbas in the “Minsk format” if it realizes that it cannot be revived. This was stated by the first president, head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Tripartite Contact Group Leonid Kravchuk on the air of Ukraine 24 TV channel.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – May 3, 2021 – Ukraine News
Kravchuk noted that the issue of abandoning the format is closely related to the implementation of clusters of agreements and explained what it is.
“Clusters are issues developed over 7 years, they will be combined into groups. And then there will be no opportunity for anyone to pull out of general issues. For example, Russia says: let’s consider 9 questions. And why not 1, 2, 3 questions? When they are divided into clusters and accepted, then no one will ask any other questions. It will be clear: without the first question, the second cannot be done, and so on. This is a very important moment, “he said.
According to Kravchuk, clusters are a tool for improving the Minsk format.
“But if we see that this is either an attempt to somehow move away from the main issue of peace in the Donbas, or an attempt to hide their true intentions, I will support, not only support, but I will ask – to leave the” Minsk “format because everything has already been done to resuscitate him, but unfortunately did not work. So we need to look for other formats, “said the head of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG.
Kravchuk added that there are several other ways to modernize the Minsk process.
“Either leave the” Minsk “format, or expand this format, moving it, say, to Europe, changing the composition to a higher level of officials, and that these documents fully comply with international law and be binding. That’s how it can be. Let’s see what will happen after the actions that are taking place in Ukraine in Europe, the United States, Zelensky’s meeting with Putin is possible, Biden’s meeting with Putin will definitely be. “After all these meetings and decisions, we will then be able to finally adopt our position on the Minsk talks,” he concluded.
Clusters of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine: what is known
Back in early March, the occupying power of the “DPR” announced the withdrawal from the armistice in the Donbas. The commanders allowed the militants to open a “warning” fire on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The militants’ deployment of new positions was accompanied by constant shelling of the positions of the Armed Forces and losses among the Ukrainian military.
After that, intelligence recorded an unusual increase in military activity on the part of Russia. During a report to the parliament on March 30, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ruslan Khomchak, announced that Russia was increasing troops near the Ukrainian border – they are concentrated in the occupied Crimea, as well as in Rostov, Bryansk, and Voronezh regions.
Intelligence, in particular, said that Russia is preparing for actions that should provoke a military response from Ukraine on the line of conflict in the Donbas. Attempts to advance Russian occupation troops deep into Ukraine do not rule out there.
Subsequently, the European Command of the US Armed Forces brought the troops into combat readiness, and the CIA confirmed that the increase in Russian troops has signs of preparation for the invasion.
According to Defense Ministry estimates, Russia has deployed more than 100,000 troops to the northeast near the border with Ukraine and will continue to build up a strike force at least until the end of April.
Russia says it is throwing troops over an alleged “NATO threat” and threatening Ukraine with “consequences for statehood” if it joins the Alliance.
Against the background of increased Russian military activity, Ukraine held several consultations with Partner countries (in particular, US President Joe Biden called Zelensky), and NATO ambassadors held an urgent meeting.
NATO and the G7 foreign ministers are demanding that Russia cease operations near the border with Ukraine. Western partners also declare their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
On April 16, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Russia to withdraw troops from the Ukrainian border.
On April 22, Russia announced the beginning of the withdrawal of its troops from the Ukrainian borders. According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Russian troops
have completed their alleged exercises in the Southern and Western military districts and will begin returning to their place of permanent deployment as early as Friday, April 23.
Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) investigators believe that the possibility of a Russian invasion remains. Thus, despite Shoigu’s statement about the withdrawal of troops, the equipment and weapons of the 41st Army remain at the training ground near Voronezh. The personnel will be able to return in a few days.
Read also: Normandy format Yermak proposes to adopt a document for effective work of TCG
Source: Ukrgate