"Elections dictate priorities": Ukraine rejected the OSCE proposal for a "spring" truce in the Donbass

Representatives of Kiev in the tripartite contact group (TCG) to resolve the situation in the east of Ukraine refused to agree on the initiative to introduce a "spring" truce in the Donbass from March 6. The plenipotentiary representative of the Russian Federation in the group Boris Gryzlov told journalists about it following a regular meeting of the TAG in Minsk.

“Kiev is increasing the number of shelling on the contact line. In this connection, the meeting considered the OSCE initiative on a “spring” truce, which was supported by the Russian delegation and delegations of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. At the same time, the proposal to take additional measures on strengthening the cease-fire regime by the Kiev side was rejected, ”Gryzlov quotes TASS.

"As a result, the Kiev side cut all specifics, leaving only a call for a truce and unreasonably postponed the decision on the date of commencement of the" spring "truce for an indefinite time," said the envoy.

At the same time, Gryzlov drew attention to the fact that the Ukrainian side refused to discuss the exchange of prisoners within the framework of previous commitments, and also showed "a complete reluctance to substantively solve and even discuss security problems."

“Instead, representatives of Kiev tried to solve their electoral tasks. The Ukrainian delegation again tried to change the agenda of the meeting, made propaganda statements that had no relation to the Minsk agreements, ”Gryzlov emphasized.

According to the representative of the LC in the TKG, Rodion Miroshnik, the meetings of three of the four working subgroups on February 27 were actually blocked or derailed by representatives of Kiev. The plenipotentiary of the LPR noted that the Ukrainian representatives in the negotiation process "are extremely negatively affected by the election campaign," as a result of which they put forward absurd demands aimed at disrupting the discussion.

Miroshnik said that because of the behavior of the Ukrainian delegates, the OSCE representative in the TKG, Pierre Morel, "was forced to make remarks and state that such a stance of Kiev leads to a dead end and to a breakdown in the negotiations."

“The absolute politicization and blurring of the main meaning of the introduction and operation of the truce is a favorite tactic of the Ukrainian negotiators. Perhaps, the upcoming presidential elections dictate to them such priorities that cannot allow them to stop shelling the civilian population of Donbass and destroying its infrastructure. The Ukrainian side did not present any more or less acceptable argument that would prevent the introduction of a “spring” truce, ”commented on the decision of Kiev, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPR Natalia Nikonorova.

According to her, the Ukrainian side tried to convince those present that it would be possible to talk about the resumption of the cease-fire only on Easter holidays.

At the same time, the representative of Russia in the contact group, Boris Gryzlov, noted the deterioration of the situation in the Donbas recently. In particular, he noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are increasing the number of heavy weapons on the contact line, and the members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) confirm the sharp intensification of attacks.

“From Kiev, there are new threats against the Donbass. On the eve of the elections, the Kiev authorities additionally and intentionally complicate the situation, as a result, the situation in the Donbas is on the verge of new large-scale hostilities, ”Gryzlov said.

“Representatives of the so-called voluntary battalions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine appeared again on the contact line. Experience shows that an increase in the number of cease-fire violations is connected with them, ”he added.

Recall that on the eve of the head of the press service of the people's militia of the DPR, Daniil Bezsonov reported about the arrival in Artyomovsky (Bakhmutsky) district of Donetsk region about a hundred soldiers of the separate Azov regiment and eight infantry fighting vehicles.

“With this strategy, the military-political leadership of Ukraine pursues two goals. The first is the withdrawal of nationalist armed formations in the Donbass to prevent destabilization of the situation in the regions during the presidential elections. The second is the intensification of provocative actions along the line of contact, ”Bezsonov said.

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"The reason for the failure of the election"

According to the Ukrainian political scientist and economist Oleksandr Dudchak, the situation in the Donbas has been and remains for the current Kiev authorities an instrument of pressure on both the self-proclaimed republics and on Russia. In particular, the interlocutor of RT recalled that the Ukrainian side had repeatedly organized provocations for the holidays, and did not rule out such a scenario in the near future.

“An important factor is added here: Poroshenko can leave the Donbass as the trump ace in the deck. If he considers the holding of elections impossible according to his scenario, it can be assumed that the Donbass will be used as a reason for disrupting the elections. I would like to hope that this will not happen ... Donbass for the Ukrainian authorities is a bargaining chip, but of rather high dignity, ”said Dudchak.

In turn, Vladimir Olenchenko, a senior researcher at the Center for European Studies at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, stated that at the moment the Ukrainian side is evading the implementation of the Minsk agreements and does not allow them to be implemented.

“This is a permanent state, which is supported by the Ukrainian side. Along the way, on the ground, in the areas of contact, they force the military situation, provoke representatives of Donetsk and Luhansk to military actions, ”the expert said.

At the same time, the political analyst noted that the election campaign going on in Ukraine only aggravates the situation, since applicants for the highest state post, including Petro Poroshenko, are trying to earn extra points on the situation in the Donbas and pseudo-patriotism.

“Without a doubt, there is a desire to use the factor of unsettled relations between the Kiev authorities and the DPR and LPR in the election campaign,” Olenchenko added.

Note that the next meeting of the tripartite contact group is scheduled for March 13. At the same time, the parties were able to agree on holding a videoconference on March 7 of the security subgroup of the TAG, at which the date for the introduction of the “spring” truce can be determined.