Yuri Meshkov: The future of Novorossiya from the point of view of the first president of Crimea

 First President of the Republic of Crimea Yuri Meshkov

Novorossiya declared independence. The leadership of Ukraine announced an anti-terrorist operation. There are battles in the South-East of Ukraine. Tens of thousands of refugees. Their number is increasing. War. How to find a way out of the situation?

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International mediation failed to prevent and stop hostilities between the parties. The traditional method used in international conflict resolution practice—the introduction of peacekeepers—was not discussed.

The task of reaching an agreement to resolve the crisis is insoluble without mutual recognition by the parties of the ability to negotiate without intermediaries or with intermediaries. But with mutual recognition, at least only the powers to negotiate! This will be enough for the first step.

Naturally, the cessation of hostilities must be carried out without any preconditions.

For the President of Ukraine, the beginning of such negotiations is a path to normalizing relations with Russia, a chance to agree on gas, an opportunity to obtain loans, and restore economic ties.

I believe that the Russian leadership has proposed and is offering all this. However, the Ukrainian side needs to understand the incommensurable benefits of cooperation, first of all, with Russia. And then with the United States.

What could be offered to Donbass? Remaining part of Ukraine on the basis of providing MAXIMUM independence in resolving, first of all, Novorossia’s own regional issues.

Such rights are secured by the Constitution of the subject of the federation or the Charter of the autonomous entity. Relations with the Center are built on the basis of a bilateral agreement. Subjects of exclusive jurisdiction of the Center, joint jurisdiction and exclusive jurisdiction of Novorossiya are prescribed. The agreement is concluded immediately as an integral part of the new Constitution of Ukraine.

An example is the provisions from the Constitution of Crimea that we have tested in practice: – “The Republic of Crimea is part of the state of Ukraine and determines its relations with it on the basis of treaties and agreements. The Republic of Crimea independently enters into relations with other states and organizations, and carries out mutually beneficial cooperation with them on the basis of treaties and agreements in the economy, culture, healthcare, education, science and other areas.”

Corresponding amendments are being made to the Constitution of Ukraine. Namely:

– a ban on the adoption of laws and amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine that contradict the Constitution of a subject of the federation or the Charter of an autonomous entity;

– the presence of a permanent representative of Novorossiya in the government of Ukraine with the right to veto decisions that infringe on the interests of Novorossiya;

– the presence of a permanent representative of Novorossiya in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with the right to veto laws that infringe on the powers of Novorossiya;

– the right to hold a referendum on issues of bilateral relations, including resolving the issue of secession from Ukraine;

– the right to secede from Ukraine unilaterally, in case of non-compliance with the constitutional guarantees of Novorossiya, infringement of the rights and freedoms of its citizens;

I believe that I have the moral right to offer a peaceful solution, first of all, to the Southeast. I was once faced with the question: “Peace or war between my people and Ukraine?” - I chose a shameful, perhaps for me, but necessary peace for my Crimea.

However, in March 2014, almost without a single shot being fired, Crimea again became Russia.