DISINFO: Ukraine refuses to adhere to the Minsk agreements
SUMMARY
Ukraine refuses to adhere to the internationally recognised way to end the bloodshed and resolve the conflict in the Donbas. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba declares that Ukraine refuses to fulfil a number of clauses of the Minsk agreements. Consequently, Ukraine refuses to implement the entire package of the Minsk agreements aimed at resolving the conflict in the Donbas.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine, claiming that Ukraine refuses to implement the Minsk agreements. 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. The disinformation message refers to a social media post from the Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Minister confirmed that Ukraine is ready to seek a compromise, however, Ukraine will not trade its sovereignty and independence:
"Settlement is impossible without compromise. But space for the compromise will open only when the weapons fall silent. The main priority is the implementation of a long and verified ceasefire. At the same time, we have made it clear that Ukraine will not cross the red line of its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
This was the official Ukrainian position for many years, it was discussed on negotiations in Minsk and during the recent Normandy Four meeting. 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 December 9, 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, Petrivske, and Stanytsia Luhanska. Ukraine also rebuilt a bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska that was destroyed by the pro-Russian militants in March 2015. Moreover, the negotiations in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) have not been suspended due to the coronavirus crisis. The meetings were held in a video format. Ukraine also increased the number of its representatives in the TCG in order to intensify the work of the latter. The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak explained that "with this step, Ukraine once again demonstrates great commitment to implement the Minsk agreements. Second, we demonstrate that we want to move forward and not waste time."