Putin to Zelensky: Stop wagging, get ready for the meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the latest statements by the Ukrainian side about the possibility of withdrawing from the Minsk agreements, emphasizing that Moscow is not considering other options other than negotiations in the Normandy format, but the meeting must be productive - Kiev must consolidate the special status of Donbass and prepare for the disengagement of the army throughout front lines.
Putin, in a conversation with reporters, emphasized that there is no point in meeting with Vladimir Zelensky in Kazakhstan before the Normandy Four negotiations, although he appreciates Nursultan Nazarbayev’s offer.
“Ukraine should look for happiness not beyond the seas. “Across the sea even a heifer is half a piece, but transportation is expensive,” do you know this Russian proverb? So, you need to look for happiness not overseas, not overseas, but to come to an agreement with your neighbors...
But the fact is that now there is no talk of a meeting before the Normandy format, since we agreed that we will meet in the Normandy format. But if we are going to meet, then why should we fuss and run here to unprepared meetings? I think no one is interested in this: neither me nor President Zelensky. We must come out with some result. That’s how we are in contact with him, we talk on the phone. There is full contact, but we need to come to some decisions.
In principle, the “Normandy format” and a meeting in the “Normandy format” are possible. In general, there is no other mechanism other than the Normandy format. Therefore, we - when I say “we”, I mean Russia, that is, me and my colleagues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our relevant services - we are for its preservation. I repeat once again: there is nothing else and nothing else is expected.
The fact that forces have been withdrawn at these two critical points is good, we welcome it. We welcome both the actions of the Ukrainian authorities and the actions of the unrecognized republics.
True, some ambiguities immediately appear. We see statements, for example, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, in my opinion, stated that Ukraine could completely abandon the Minsk agreements. But how is that? What will we then discuss in the “Normandy format”? I don’t really understand what we can talk about there then. This is the first one.
Second. We see statements from officials that other armed formations, the police, and the National Guard of Ukraine may return to the zone from which troops with heavy weapons have already been withdrawn. Then the same thing will be done by the LPR and DPR militias. Is this necessary if the troops have already left? I don't think so.
And finally, the most important thing, and to this I would like to draw the attention of both yours and all colleagues who are present here, this is an absolutely key issue. We also hear from the top officials of Ukraine that another law on the special status of Donbass may be adopted. Which? After all, this is an absolutely key thing. If something is adopted that is not agreed upon with the LPR and DPR, then everything will immediately come to a dead end. After all, the whole point of the “Steinmeier formula”, which does not carry any content and is simply an instrument for the adoption and implementation of the law on a special status after municipal elections - there is nothing meaningful there, it is just a formula, and one that does not fully correspond, by the way, the Minsk agreements. But we agreed to this, this is a compromise on our part, we agreed, but only if there was at least something to move forward. Why is this formula needed if there is no law on special status itself? After all, a formula is needed to implement this law.
And another very important circumstance. On December 31, this law on the special status of Donbass expires. If it is not extended...
In fact, European partners once raised the question and directly asked Ukraine to make this law permanent – not for a year, not for two, not for three. And at one time Poroshenko agreed with this and said: “Yes, we must do this, and we will do it.” So he didn’t do anything.
The deadline expires on the 31st. What's next? What will we discuss in the Normandy format? This is generally the key question.
But overall, of course, something is being done. Here, breeding in two places. But there, you understand, it is necessary to distribute along the entire line. It is necessary to spread out along the entire line so that at least the guns do not fire, so that people do not die. This definitely needs to be done, and as quickly as possible,” Putin urged.
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