DISINFO: Ukraine is trying to compromise and undermine the Minsk agreements
SUMMARY
“Bandera” Kyiv never intended to fulfill the Minsk agreements from the very beginning, even though [the Minsk agreements] were very controversial from the point of view of the interests of the Republics of Donbas, because they secured territorial integrity for Ukraine. Nevertheless, Kyiv still tries to compromise and undermine them and does not want to fulfill them.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine, claiming that Ukraine refuses to implement the Minsk agreements. Additionally, the article uses the 'Bandera Kyiv' moniker to reinforce the well-known pro-Kremlin claim that Ukraine is ruled by the far-right "Banderivtsi". Contrary to the claims in this article, the implementation of the agreements remains one of the key priorities of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Over the last 12 months, Ukraine has made serious steps to resolve the conflict in Donbas peacefully. Ukraine initiated a Normandy Four meeting that was held on December 9, 2019. Ukraine agreed that a full and comprehensive ceasefire is necessary. The parties of the Normandy Summit also agreed to release captives on the principle "all for all" by December 2019. Three prisoner exchanges have been conducted, with the last one taking place during the COVID-19 lockdown. The law on special order of local self-government in certain areas of Donbas was extended for another year. A disengagement of troops was achieved in Zolote, Petrivske, and Stanytsia Luhanska. Ukraine also rebuilt a bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska that was destroyed by the pro-Russian militants in March 2015. Moreover, the negotiations in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) have not been suspended due to the coronavirus crisis. The meetings were held in a video format. Ukraine also increased the number of its representatives in the TCG in order to intensify the work of the latter. The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak explained that "with this step, Ukraine once again demonstrates great commitment to implement the Minsk agreements. Second, we demonstrate that we want to move forward and not waste time."