Putin demands that Ukraine begin direct negotiations with the LDPR
Kyiv must finally begin direct negotiations with the Donbass republics, as follows from the Minsk agreements.
This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a joint press conference with Federal Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
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“You know that, in fact, we initiated the organization of a UN mission in southeastern Ukraine. This idea was first proposed by Mr. Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, and all I could do was publicly support it and introduce a resolution.
But when we did it, it wasn't enough. As you know and as you just said, it is proposed to extend this mission to the entire territory, although initially it was about ensuring the safety of OSCE observers located on the contact line. And we believe that this is enough for the UN mission to fulfill this role.
Initially, Ukraine raised the issue of arming OSCE personnel in order to ensure their security. We agreed. The OSCE refused, citing the fact that the OSCE had neither such experience nor people who could do it.
Thirdly, there is a fear that as soon as OSCE staff take up arms, they will be a target for both conflicting parties. Therefore, another idea was put forward - to place a UN mission nearby to ensure their safety. We agreed.
After this, the German Chancellor, in one of her telephone conversations, posed the question this way: “But OSCE employees also visit the border between Russia and Ukraine.” I agreed with this, to which she said: “So why shouldn’t they be on the border with Russia and Ukraine?” I replied: “Yes, you’re probably right, let them be there too, when they accompany the OSCE staff, that is, to ensure security.” We agreed to this, but this was not enough.
Now they say: “No, they need to be everywhere.” That is, in fact, we are talking about putting this entire territory under international control.
Is Russia for or against? At a minimum, we are not against it, but we need to negotiate with these unrecognized republics. Go and negotiate with them. No, no one wants to do this.
Tell me, please, is there at least one example in international practice where the resolution of conflicts of this kind occurs without the involvement of one of the conflicting parties?
Such a practice simply does not exist in the world. But, unfortunately, no one wants, in any case, the Kyiv authorities do not want direct dialogue, as provided for in the Minsk agreements, with representatives of these unrecognized territories.
Well, first you need to take political steps towards a settlement, start implementing the Minsk agreements, and then think about future steps.
Today we need to ensure the safety of OSCE staff. We agree with this, let's take at least this step. But for some reason they don’t want to do this either and refuse. It’s strange, but we will work on this together with all interested countries,” Vladimir Putin said, answering a journalist’s question.
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