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The Russian occupiers in Donbas use the local population as “cannon fodder”, and the unification of the “DPR” and “LPR” terrorists into a “republic” will simplify the task of returning them to Ukrainian control.
Hope should not be pinned on the Minsk negotiation process. Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to take revenge on Ukraine for sanctions against his godfather and HLP people’s deputy Viktor Medvedchuk, but he will definitely react to the change in Ukrainian policy.
This opinion was expressed on the air of the OBOZREVATEL television channel by the representative of the Ukrainian delegation in the Trilateral Contact Group, journalist Sergei Garmash.
– Former fugitive Minister of Internal Affairs Vitaly Zakharchenko said he was ready to lead the terrorists in Donbass in the event of a merger of the terrorist “DPR” and “LPR”. Is such a union possible?
– I would welcome such a unification, because it would significantly advance Ukraine in the liberation of this territory. It would be a mistake for Moscow, since historically the residents of Lugansk and Donetsk do not like each other very much, they compete. This is the first.
Second, it is not for nothing that these so-called republics close their borders and impose rights. They share parts of the economy, already destroyed, but in its last stages. They share money.
If these two quasi-elites clash now, this will lead to serious destabilization in the region. And this, in principle, can be beneficial for Ukraine. Ukraine can seize this moment.
I think it is quite possible that certain structures in Moscow are pushing for such an idea. But I’m not quite sure that everyone is stupid enough to implement it.
– Returning to Zakharchenko’s statement, we understand that these are not independent speakers. At one point, Yanukovych said he was ready to return to Donbass. But this was not followed by any action. Obviously, Zakharchenko does not speak for himself. So why does it ring?
– I have not seen the entire interview, under what circumstances was this question asked. But I don’t think anyone is offering you this.
– In your opinion, what role are you now assigning to “DPR” and “LPR” or, perhaps, to their united grouping?
“It is still a tool for them. An instrument, first of all, of military pressure on Ukraine, since they do not confirm their presence there. In fact, they don’t sit in the trenches, they lead the process. There are your instructors, your snipers come to train from time to time, sorry for the cynicism.
Let me remind you that the salaries of these illegal armed groups are paid in rubles. Therefore, it cannot be said that “they are not there”.
On the other hand, they actually use the local population as cannon fodder. Therefore, they need organizations that mobilize this “meat”, forgive the expression and ensure its operation on the front lines. Once again, they held back the local population, who, to put it mildly, are not very happy with the quality of their lives now.
Therefore, for them it is a tool to maintain the conflict, which Moscow initiated and continues to use with specific objectives against Ukraine.
– What about the roadmap for Donbass? Ukraine offered its own version, Russia said it was not adequate. Where have you come from now? What to expect next?
– I would recommend not expecting anything from this Minsk process. It seems to me that you have to be very naive to expect something serious after six years. At least the resolution of this conflict.
This is also a tool. A tool to achieve tactical and strategic objectives. All these peace plans, in my opinion, are also tactical documents that must fulfill certain tactical tasks for this period.
Of course, Russia will not agree with these proposals of ours, because it has no interest in ending this conflict.
– We see that the government of Ukraine is trying to create new platforms and attract new, important and influential negotiators, such as the United States and Great Britain. We see other actions by the authorities within the country, such as sanctions. New ones are announced. How do you think Putin is going to react to the sanctions that were introduced against his godfather?
– I think Putin can react in general to the change in Ukrainian policy towards Donbass and towards Russia. As for the godfather himself, I think this is not the most important person for Putin. I don’t think there are actions specifically in defense of Medvedchuk.
But overall, the sanctions against Medvedchuk are an indicator of changes in our policy towards Russia and towards the tools we use to resolve this conflict. Of course, Putin will react to this in some way.
I think so far Russia has not decided exactly how. She still does not see a defined strategy of reaction to these events in Ukraine. But as always, the Russians, when they don’t know what to do, they start fighting.
And now we are witnessing this confrontation at the front. To some extent, this is a reaction to the fact that Ukraine did not live up to the expectations of Russia, the Russian leadership, and made no compromises that were unfavorable for Ukraine. Therefore, Russia reacts in this way. We can say that the war continues.
– Do you think that these events should not be associated with the closure of Kozak’s television channels and the sanctions against Medvedchuk and his family?
– I will say that these sanctions are part of the changes in Ukraine’s policy. Therefore, of course, they can be linked, but this is not the main thing. These are not separate steps. This is one of the steps in the complex that Ukraine will use in the fight against Russia.
– The day before, we witnessed a strange event when the Prime Minister asked the Deputy Prime Minister: how did it happen that he was in the same photo with Ramzan Kadyrov? Could this affect the integrity of the government, Urusky is already predicting resignation? And can this in any way hinder the negotiation process, in the TCG and in attracting our international partners?
– I have not studied this situation, it is difficult for me to comment on it. But one thing I can say with certainty: that this will not affect the negotiation process in the TCG and will not have any consequences in these negotiations.
