Zelensky explained why they will not speak directly with the DPR and LPR
In contrast to a direct conversation with Moscow, negotiations with representatives of the DPR and LPR are “ineffective,” and there will be no return of the territories they control to the control of the Ukrainian authorities on the basis of autonomy, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
This was stated at the headquarters of presidential candidate Vladimir Zelensky
“We, of course, do not conduct such negotiations. It is necessary to negotiate or put pressure on those who can make decisions. The so-called “DPR” and “LPR” administrations are not subjects of the negotiation process, but only objects. After all, all key decisions are made in the Russian Federation. These are “talking heads” who come to Minsk, voice some theses there, but do not influence decision-making in any way. Therefore, negotiations with them are, to put it mildly, ineffective,” Zelensky’s political adviser Dmitry Razumkov said in an interview with the BBC published today.
At the same time, when asked whether such negotiations were permissible, he replied: “Today these are terrorist organizations, and there is international practice on this issue.”
Commenting on statements by lobbyist Viktor Medvedchuk, who is close to Poroshenko and the Kremlin, that representatives of both the DPR and LPR, as well as the Russian Federation, agreed with his program for returning part of Donbass to the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian authorities on the basis of autonomy, Razumkov said: “In this format there will be no Ukrainian power was restored. We will essentially get the same thing we got today, perhaps with less fire."
“Zelensky outlined red lines that he will not cross: we will never rent, donate or sell our territories (and Crimea and Donbass are the territory of Ukraine), as well as our people,” he emphasized.
Zelensky’s adviser noted that he “does not quite understand the effectiveness” of Medvechuk as a negotiator with the Russian side. “He was appointed as the person in charge of the hostage exchange. Since December 2017, we have not seen large exchanges, at least public ones. Therefore, the question is how effective this format is,” he noted.
Razumkov said that Zelensky’s team has no contacts with Medvedchuk.
Let us remind you that Zelensky previously announced that with his arrival at Bankovaya he would initiate direct negotiations with Moscow for the sake of peace in Donbass and, first of all, would achieve a ceasefire in the region. However, the candidate ruled out direct negotiations with the authorities of the DPR and LPR, adding that he considers the expansion of the Normandy format more promising by involving the United States and Great Britain.
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