DISINFO: Ukraine openly sabotages the implementation of the Minsk agreements
SUMMARY
The Ukrainian authorities openly sabotage the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the Steinmeier Formula. Kyiv was not originally going to follow these agreements. The fact that Ukraine will not consider the option of amending the Constitution to consolidate the legal status of certain regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is a direct violation of the Minsk agreements. The Ukrainian side is not going to implement the Minsk agreements and this will continue as long as the West turns a blind eye to what is happening. Until Zelenskyy receives an order from above, he will maintain a state of “neither peace nor war.”
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Ukraine refuses to implement the Minsk agreements. In the interview mentioned in the article, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said, "point number one: Ukraine remains committed to the 'Normandy Format' and the Minsk process. Point number two: of course, we must constantly brainstorm and reflect. If this does not work, and if Russia destroys this format, then what next? We have to keep various options on the table. But, I emphasise that these are backup options. Now we are working to ensure that the 'Normandy Format' and the Minsk process are successful and lead to an end to the war and the de-occupation of Ukrainian territories." Ukraine has never claimed that it does not want to implement the Minsk agreements. The implementation of the agreements remains one of the key priorities of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. After the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Ukrainian side proposed to hold the negotiations conducted by the Trilateral Contact Group in a video format. 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, Petrovske, and Stanytsia Luhanska. Ukraine also rebuilt a bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska that was destroyed by the pro-Russian militants in March 2015.