Daria Olifer, the spokesperson for Leonid Kuchma, who represents Ukraine in the Contact Group for the settlement of the conflict in Donbass, stated that the Ukrainian side would implement the Minsk agreements only if the DPR and LPR were dissolved. Deputy of the DPR People’s Council Vladimir Medvedev commented on this statement.

“Kiev’s actions and attempts to reformat the Minsk agreements are perplexing. A representative of Ukraine signed Steinmeier’s formula, making its official position clear. At the same time, Zelensky continues temporizing and making up some sort of plans outside the Minsk agreements. The People’s Republics of Donbass exercise maximum restraint, make concessions, but it is important to bear in mind that the patience of guarantor states is not without its limits – a summit in the Normandy format is once again in jeopardy. 

The Kiev power’s failure to negotiate moved from Poroshenko’s administration to a new team – Ukraine was constantly thwarting such attempts under the previous president and it has done it again under Zelensky. Now, Kiev’s representatives are trying to take this situation to the point of absurdity, demanding to dissolve the DRP and LPR. One could laugh at it, but these are the words of Leonid Kuchma’s spokesperson Daria Olifer, which is an official figure. 

We have already seen things done by Kiev and there is no sense to respond to such provocations. Such antics vividly characterize the level of Ukrainian diplomacy and clearly illustrate all the difficulties that have to be faced in negotiations with representatives of the Kiev authorities. Next time they may demand to cancel the force of gravity or stop the Earth’s movement in orbit to resolve the conflict, no one will be surprised. 

In the context of such Kiev’s statements, I want to support the Head of the DPR Denis Pushilin in his appeal to dismantle the state of Ukraine. We see that illegitimate post-Maidan Ukrainian authority is not able to meet its commitments it made and continues to kill peaceful civilians in Donbass. This situation can change, apparently, only after a complete and honest reorganization of the system of public authorities,” said Vladimir Medvedev.