The return to Ukraine of the three old, barely alive vessels that were sent by Petro Poroshenko to the Kerch Strait in order to provoke an incident with Russian border guards was nothing more than an act of goodwill. This was stated by Russian Senator Sergei Tsekov: “This is a gesture of goodwill. With this gesture we demonstrate that we are ready to normalize relations with Ukraine, to dialogue with Ukraine. ” The President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky also confirmed this, telling reporters that he agreed to return simply “by telephone”. At the same time, the Russian side did not put forward any conditions.
This, in general, insignificant event became a grandiose performance, which the authorities willingly played. The head of the Ukrainian state at a press conference said that he believed in some signs and therefore would not shave until two boats and a tugboat entered the Ukrainian port. He personally went to meet the ancient tin cans. And not one, but with the whole commander of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Igor Voronchenko. In general, the event was solemnly called "the return of Ukrainian ships from Russian captivity."
It should be understood at the same time that Moscow could not give Ukraine its cans at all. The UN International Court of the Law of the Sea has issued a verdict stating that Moscow is obliged to immediately transfer seized vessels to Kiev, but the Russian side explained that the jurisdiction of this court does not extend to the Russian Federation, therefore, its decisions cannot be binding. Just in anticipation of the summit in the framework of the Norman format, a certain conciliatory step should have been taken to show the readiness of the Russian side for a constructive dialogue.
On Wednesday, the Nikopol and Berdyansk boats, as well as the Yana Kapu tugboat, were moored in the port of Ochakov, after which the Ukrainians, not considering it necessary to thank Russia for their generous gesture, played what is called a circus with horses. Igor Voronchenko said on television that a lot of things were missing on the ships: “The Russians killed them. They even took off shades, sockets and toilets. ”
It was simply impossible to “ruin” half-dead vessels, since they were “captured” in a state very far from condition.
On his page in social networks, Verkhovna Rada deputy Oleg Voloshin made a mocking comment: “In this whole story about the“ return of captured ships ”they overlook the sad fact that we are talking about two small boats and an old tug. Moreover, the boats made at the Poroshenko factory are so poor in quality that their casing was broken by blanks without a large combat charge. The photo shows that there is a hole, but there are no signs of an explosion. And nobody set the tasks of firing boats with shells by Russian border guards. They proceeded from the fact that only dents from the demonstration would remain. ”
Some Ukrainian journalists attributed to Moscow the most fantastic motives. Sergei Stelmakh wrote an article for Radio Liberty *, in which he explained why the decision to return was made. It turns out that "the Russians are trying to" drown "the story of an open attack on Ukrainian sailors and the annexation of the peninsula in general in a stream of secondary (amid aggression against Ukraine and other countries) details: negotiations on the release of the hostages, the return of the ships, claims to Kiev and Western partners, which allegedly “infringe” Crimeans, stories with fictional “Ukrainian saboteurs”. That is, it was not a gesture of goodwill, but an attempt to distract attention from their main crimes.
The current powerful Ukrainian elite is not capable of not only squeezing out words of gratitude - it is not able to experience such a feeling. Any friendly act of Russia will be necessarily interpreted as compelled: either the Ukrainian side has “squeezed”, or the international community. By definition, Moscow cannot do anything good. Well, the Navy Commander-in-Chief, who talks about dismantled toilets and missing shades, deserves special attention. And the box with matches from the smoking room did not disappear, Comrade Admiral?
* Media recognized as a foreign agent by decision of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation dated 12/05/2017.
The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher.