DISINFO: The Minsk agreements are stalled because of Kyiv, the issue of the Crimea is closed
SUMMARY
It is completely out of place to say that progress is needed in the settlement of Donbas, or the return of Crimea. The Minsk agreements are stalled because of Kyiv, but the Crimea issue does not exist at all. It is closed.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Minsk agreements, portraying Ukraine as the only violator of the cease-fire. In March 2015, the European Council linked the duration of EU sanctions on Russia to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements, acknowledging Russia's responsibility to uphold the agreements. The EU has condemned systematic restrictions to the freedom of movement of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM), by Russia-backed armed formations in southern Donetsk and non-government-controlled areas along the Russian border. "Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued, including at a checkpoint near Kreminets, where members of the armed formations behaved aggressively towards the Mission". According to the reports by the OSCE Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, there are violations of the Minsk agreement on both sides of the conflict. The analysis of the Atlantic Council shows that the majority of violations can be attributed to Russia-backed armed formations. Regarding Crimea, on the fifth anniversary of its annexation by Russia, the EU reiterated its position of non-recognition of illegal annexation and reaffirmed that it continues to stand in full solidarity with Ukraine, supporting its sovereignty and territorial integrity. "Today we are further underlining our European unity and commitment to keep Crimea high on our collective agenda. We will continue to implement our non-recognition policy of the illegal annexation. We restate our firm belief that Crimea is Ukraine'', High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said.