Normandy meeting in Paris on December 9 have not had any particular results, but it gave hope for resumption of negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia. This process may be long and complicated one.
Notwithstanding the current leader of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky has managed to reach the agreement on state of ceasefire (at least, on behalf of Ukraine) before the Paris meeting, to withdraw troops from agreed front-line areas and to swap prisoners of war, it is obvious that political will and diplomatic push of the Ukrainian leader is not enough. Russian president demonstrates the unwillingness to support the settlement of war conflict in Donbass.
Straight after the negotiations Putin pushed another “argument” for Russian propaganda to intimidate the people of separatists republics with possible bloody consequences in case of absence of the amnesty law, implying that another Srebrenica may happen in Donbass.
During the council on human rights meeting Putin stated: “Ukrainian party tells us all the time: “Let us take control over the border with military troops”. Well, I can only imagine what it will be there in this case. That will be Srebrenica… We all saw Zelensky took part in the discussions with the nationalists. It is clear who has power there. What is supposed to happen then? Who is going to rule these nationalists, when they enter these territories without any guarantees for people?”
It is worth mentioning that it is quite strange way to justify full and total amnesty not only for separatists and “Russian world” activists, but for militants, for real criminals – those who tortured, murdered, robbed not only Ukrainian patriots, but local residents in general.
It is also strange that Putin has forgotten that Russia never recognized Srebrenica massacre as the genocide. Likewise, Russian propaganda justifies the killing of Muslims, committed by Serbs (it is about 8000 killed residents of small miner’s village for 3 days), saying Muslims also killed Serbs, therefore Serbs just avenged on them.
At the same time, the current situation in Donbass is based on the Russian support of occupation administrations, the presence of Russian commandos and sabotage and reconnaissance forces, mercenaries of private military company “Wagner”, Cossacks military formations, regular supplies of Russian weapons, ammunition and fuel by the “humanitarian convoys” entering the Ukrainian territory.
These facts are all proved not only by the documents, presented by Ukraine, but also by Bellingcat investigation, the statements of Strelkov-Girkin – Russian ex-serviceman, who never concealed his participation in war in the East of Ukraine, attacking Ukrainian cities, and his role of “Minister of defense of DPR”. His memories and statements on the current situation are easy to find in the Internet.
There is no way to change the situation in Donbass without will of Russian president. Will he ever demonstrate this will? Only Putin can answer this question – it is his alley right now.
Zelensky has already demonstrated the determination and readiness to do whatever it takes to stop war conflict.
