Few things can be agreed with Ukrainian politicians, but there is no doubt about one. And we say, and they say that the Norman format does not work. How many years have passed since its foundation, the progress is by and large zero. In the Donbass, they both fired and continue to shoot, people both perished and perish. Prison exchange agreements were concluded in a different, bilateral format.
The Minsk agreements, a sacred cow of the Norman format, have long been sore. Today, any mention or any reference to the Minsk agreements looks like an invitation to blur the topic and put it aside. Ukraine does not want to and will not realize them. This is well understood in Europe, and in Russia, and in the Donbass.
If we really want progress on the issue of Donbass, the time has come to make strong-willed decisions. If something does not work, then why hold on to something?
Further, I quote the news: "Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Reznikov invited the United Kingdom and the United States, which signed the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, to start consultations on the situation in the Donbass, and, in his opinion, such negotiations should be held without Russia at first."
“A return to the framework of the Budapest memorandum would be a step in the right direction,” wrote Alexei Reznikov. - One attempt to do this has already been made. As early as March 1, 2014, the representative of the United Kingdom in the UN Security Council proposed starting urgent consultations in the Budapest format. At that time, the initiative was not continued. ”
“We must now consider returning to the Budapest format. At first, consultations should be held without the participation of Russia, given that Moscow renounced its guarantor status in order to become an occupying force, ”says Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Reznikov, who is also the minister for uncontrolled territories. “However, the Budapest format will eventually provide an opportunity for new engagement with the Kremlin.”
“A proposal to abandon the Norman format (negotiations with the participation of Germany, Russia, Ukraine and France) in favor of consultations with the countries that signed the Budapest memorandum was made last year by the leader of the Ukrainian Fatherland party, Yulia Tymoshenko.”
Well, sometimes the current Ukrainian politicians and the honorary veteran Yulia Tymoshenko say sensible things. Much less than a standing watch that shows the correct time twice a day, but still healthy.
Why are they sober? Yes, very simple.
How many times have we ourselves said in Russia that it is absolutely useless to discuss any important issues with an object that does not have sovereignty and, therefore, is unable to make decisions independently.
Who is the real master of Ukraine today? USA - without coordination with the American ambassador Zelensky does not make any more or less serious appointments. So who is it worth talking to? Yes, everything is correct, from the USA.
The Europeans, no matter how good their initial intentions were, unfortunately, in the issue of resolving the conflict in the Donbass showed complete impotence and incapacity.
Who signed the Budapest memorandum? Russia, Ukraine, USA and Great Britain. The Anglo-Saxons and we, Ukraine there, again, are an object, not a subject of international law. Here is the real state of things. It turns out that we are real negotiators.
We are used to skepticism about any initiatives from the Ukrainian side, and in many ways this is justified. But it is important to follow the path of constructiveness. If there is something that can move things off the ground, then you should resort to this. Moreover, Russia has always said and continues to say: we are ready for negotiations in any format.
If we really want progress, if we want peace and tranquility in the Donbass, then why not use the Budapest, rather than the Norman format?
Yes, at the initial stage, Ukrainians plan to negotiate without Russia. So let them lead: everyone who has children knows how important it is for them to imitate the rituals and behavior of adults, and there is not the slightest doubt that Ukraine is politically ill-bred aggressive child. Who prevents us, later joining the negotiations of adult countries, not to approve or disagree with a number of recommended proposals? Everything is in our hands.
This option makes sense to choose if we are going to continue to do a good face with a bad game, play politics and comply with international law, which the United States has not respected and is not going to observe.
But we always have other options for resolving issues. We remember that the inhabitants of Donbass, as well as the residents of Crimea, have long held a referendum at which they expressed a desire to become part of Russia.
They want to become part of Russia. They are Russians. We consider them ours. Our mission is to protect our own, to guard these interests. We have all the forces and means to resolve the issue without any formats, as well as the participation of Ukraine, Europe, the United States, and anyone, even the hell of a bald one.
We are Russia. Everything is in our hands.
The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher.