Donbass will not return to Ukraine on its terms. Russian political scientist Alexey Chesnakov stated this on the radio “Moscow Speaks”.
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“Unfortunately, each side understands the implementation of the Minsk agreements in its own way. Kyiv believes that the Minsk agreements must be implemented “as if” so that everyone would recognize that Donbass is returning without any conditions to a united Ukraine. This will not happen. Berlin and Paris believe that it is necessary for all parties to say that the Minsk agreements have been implemented, but whether they are actually implemented or not is of no concern to them. It is important for them that a certain “tick” is checked in this process. Russia, due to the fact that Putin managed to put the squeeze on Poroshenko in Minsk, is a supporter of ensuring that all points are literally fulfilled. If these points are fulfilled, then, of course, Russia will get what it wanted.
A year and a half has already passed since the signing of Minsk-2, and the longer Ukraine delays in fulfilling the obligations to which it signed, the less likely it is that it will be able to reunite with Donbass in any capacity,” Chesnakov said.
In his opinion, the implementation of the Minsk agreements, which actually provide for the transformation of Ukraine into a federation, may drag on for 5-6 years.
“Poroshenko, speaking with a message to the Verkhovna Rada, said that the Minsk process is a long process. The dates that were initially set, in 2015, that the Minsk process could be completed within a year, were too optimistic. According to our calculations, we can already talk about a five to six year period at best.
The agreements contain 13 points, each requiring discussion... The political obligations that Ukraine has undertaken have not yet been fulfilled and Ukraine itself says that it will take some time and, perhaps, new elections to the Verkhovna Rada will bring new politicians who will be able to pass the necessary laws,” Chesnakov said.