DISINFO: Ukraine does not show any interest in the Minsk Agreement
SUMMARY
It is specified that the Ukrainian side has actually frozen the implementation of the other decisions of the Paris Summit and does not show any interest in the Minsk Agreement.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Ukraine refuses to implement the Minsk agreements.
In the interview mentioned in the article, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said, "point number one: Ukraine remains committed to the 'Normandy Format' and the Minsk process. Point number two: of course, we must constantly brainstorm and reflect. If this does not work, and if Russia destroys this format, then what next? We have to keep various options on the table. But, I emphasise that these are backup options. Now we are working to ensure that the 'Normandy Format' and the Minsk process are successful and lead to an end to the war and the de-occupation of Ukrainian territories."
Ukraine has never claimed that it does not want to implement the Minsk agreements. The implementation of the agreements remains one of the key priorities of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. After the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Ukrainian side proposed to hold the negotiations conducted by the Trilateral Contact Group in a video format.
Over the last 12 months, Ukraine has made serious steps to resolve the conflict in Donbas peacefully. Ukraine initiated a Normandy Four meeting that was held on 9 December 2019. Ukraine agreed that a full and comprehensive ceasefire is necessary. The parties of the Normandy Summit also agreed to release captives on the principle "all for all" by December 2019. Three prisoner exchanges have been conducted, with the last one taking place during the COVID-19 lockdown. The law on special order of local self-government in certain areas of Donbas was extended for another year. A disengagement of troops was achieved in Zolote, Petrovske, and Stanytsia Luhanska. Ukraine also rebuilt a bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska that was destroyed by the pro-Russian militants in March 2015.