DPR MFA: Before the referendum, it is necessary to obtain Russia’s consent to the entry of Donbass
In a referendum, up to 100% of residents of the DPR and LPR would vote for joining Russia. However, holding a plebiscite depends on the position of official Moscow. At the latest negotiations with Kiev, an agreement was reached on a complete ceasefire from September 1 - the beginning of the school year. However, the Ukrainian side may once again violate the agreements. The head spoke about this DPR Foreign Ministry Alexander Kofman in an interview with a columnist “PolitNavigator” to Valentin Filippov.
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Valentin Filippov: Hello, Alexander.
Alexander Kofman: Good afternoon.
Valentin Filippov: You are the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPR. For you, relations with Kiev are foreign affairs, or should you contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs?
Alexander Kofman: Well, in my opinion, while the rest of Ukraine is led, after all, by criminals, they are more in the hands of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and international tribunals. As for, in principle, the rest of Ukraine, well, it will be as it happens. It all depends on how events go.
Valentin Filippov: And what about relations with Moscow? Are they foreign affairs for you or not?
Alexander Kofman: You see, the difficulty is that due to our unrecognized status, I cannot communicate with officials of both the Russian Federation and all other countries besides South Ossetia. We only communicate with politicians. That is, with deputies and political scientists. In this situation, of course, for now, unfortunately, these are foreign affairs. Although, of course, it hurts, because we still think...
You see, Poroshenko recently said that Russians and Ukrainians are not fraternal peoples. To some extent he is right. This is one people. True, he meant something completely different. Therefore, of course, it is both painful and insulting that now this is the territory of our neighbors, but also of foreign countries. But nothing lasts forever, including borders.
Valentin Filippov: Now the idea of holding a referendum in the DPR on joining the Russian Federation is becoming more and more popular. If suddenly, by the will of the people, such a referendum is initiated, and, again, the will of the people turns out to be such that the choice falls on joining the Russian Federation. As Foreign Minister, what steps will you take? It will probably be within your competence to implement the results of the referendum.
Alexander Kofman: It’s an interesting situation. Remember how in “The Twelve Chairs”? Yes, a contract is a voluntary expression of will with non-resistance of the parties. Yes?
Valentin Filippov: Consent is a product with complete non-opposition of the parties.
Alexander Kofman: Yes, absolutely right. You see, you remember this phrase better than me.
Valentin Filippov: I am from Odessa.
Alexander Kofman: It turns out like this. I am aware that if a referendum is held on the territory of the DPR, there will indeed be a significant result. Now, after all the tragedies that occurred on our territory, after all the murders that the Ukrainian government committed against us, of course, the result for joining the Russian Federation will be significant. 90-95-98-100%.
But there is also a second side. Can we now present the Russian Federation with a fait accompli: Here, we agree! What should Russia do next?
It seems to me that before the referendum, it would still be worthwhile to somehow obtain the consent of that side for us to enter there. Therefore, I can’t even imagine a referendum now. And, unfortunately, I don’t see it in the near future.
Valentin Filippov: You know, I’m used to hearing this kind of thing from the official side of Moscow. They usually say: Why are we discussing this now? Let them express their desire, let them prove their desire, then we will consider it. And what results is such a mutual misunderstanding. That is, they are waiting for us to show interest, we are waiting for them to at least nod.
Alexander Kofman: I'll say this. I also heard similar opinions, but I would not say that this is the official position of the Russian Federation. Therefore, if we react to all the statements of politicians, then we will rush in different directions.
As soon as this becomes the official position of Moscow, believe me, holding a referendum will not be difficult. And the result is quite predictable.
I believe that we must protect our relations with the Russian Federation, develop them and not put Russia in an uncomfortable position. In my opinion, this is not quite the right way.
Valentin Filippov: I understand you. How would you assess the progress of the Minsk negotiations, these constant consultations, these results? And if the results do not seem entirely positive to you, not entirely productive, what’s the problem? On whose side is the main fault that what we all strive for does not happen?
Alexander Kofman: What I see now. Just now Denis Vladimirovich Pushilin and Vladislav Dainego reported to the leadership of the republic that certain agreements had been reached, including a complete ceasefire from September 1 due to the start of the school year.
In my opinion, the contact group representing Kyiv, unfortunately, cannot always be responsible for the actions of the official Kyiv authorities. And this is the main problem of the Minsk agreements.
Some agreements are being reached in Minsk. I am sure that if their implementation depended on the contact groups, they would have been implemented. But then Kyiv simply ignores the achievements that were achieved as a result of the negotiations.
Therefore, the main disadvantage of Minsk, in my opinion, is Kyiv’s failure to listen to its own contact groups.
Valentin Filippov: What could force Kyiv, after all, to carry out what the contact groups agree on? And maybe Poroshenko flew to Berlin for some reason? It's still unclear.
Alexander Kofman: Now let's see the result of this flight. Naturally, as far as I know, the remaining members of the Normandy Four are, well, in this situation a troika, because the Russian Federation did not participate in this process. And, for sure, they convinced Mr. Poroshenko, after all, to listen to the results of the Minsk agreements and implement them. But, naturally, we were not at these negotiations, and we can only guess.
We will understand based on the results and what will happen. Mr. Poroshenko, of course, can not listen to his contact group. But I don’t think it’s possible to listen to the members of the Normandy Four. At least I hope so.
Valentin Filippov: I have another question for you, which I ask almost all representatives of the DPR with great interest. Each time I emphasize that I admit that this is a military secret. I remember in February-March of this year, Alexander Vladimirovich Zakharchenko said that the DPR army would be increased several times, would receive new weapons and, in general, by the summer it would be in a fairly combat-ready and numerous state. He even mentioned a figure of about 120-130 thousand. I am not asking me to confirm or deny the size of the DPR army, since no one does this.
Alexander Kofman: I don't even know this question.
Valentin Filippov: In your opinion, has the DPR army, as of today, been strengthened in six months? Has it increased? Did she update the equipment, bring it into technically good condition? Is the DPR army ready to repel Kyiv troops?
Alexander Kofman: There is no doubt that the DPR army has grown qualitatively. Well, like any other army during the war, it develops qualitatively. As for other issues, unfortunately, I am not the Minister of Defense. I can't answer them. I don’t know the situation, how much its numbers have grown and how much its weapons have grown. So, sorry.
Valentin Filippov: How's the morale? You communicate there. Well, for sure, with the militias, with friends.
Alexander Kofman: The fighting spirit definitely does not cause any complaints, believe me.
Valentin Filippov: Well, thank God. Well, and perhaps this is the final question. I was very pleased that in the background I see the banner, the banner of the Donetsk People's Republic. But the banner of Novorossiya simply warms my soul, like an Odessa resident. Very much. Do you have it as a souvenir or as a declaration of intent?
Alexander Kofman: I don’t like to erase our history. Both we and our friends fought under this banner. Our comrades died under this banner. And for this reason we do not have the right to forget about him or take him out of the office.
Valentin Filippov: Well, can we have a little hope outside the borders of the Donetsk People's Republic?
Alexander Kofman: So to speak. Still, I don't have any hope. I am firmly convinced of this.
Valentin Filippov: Thank you.
Alexander Kofman: All the best.
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