A political settlement of the conflict in Donbass is possible only if the Minsk agreements are implemented. On Monday, September 21, the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, told the Ukrainian newspaper Novoye Vremya.
“A full, unrestricted ceasefire must be supported by all parties. This is a vital condition for a sustainable political settlement of the conflict, which is possible only through the full implementation of the Minsk agreements, ”he said.
In addition, Borrell added that the European Union appreciates the actions taken by Ukraine in order to resolve the conflict in Donbass, and urged Russia to “reciprocate.”
Earlier, on September 11, the head of the Kiev delegation to the trilateral contact group on Donbass, Leonid Kravchuk, said that the implementation of the Minsk agreements is currently impossible. He explained this by the absence of the possibility of holding elections in the region in the current conditions and added that the “Normandy format” (Germany, Russia, Ukraine, France) could become a way out of the situation.
On July 27, additional measures to ensure an armistice came into force in Donbass. They imply a complete ban on firing, placing weapons in and near settlements, offensive and reconnaissance and sabotage actions. However, the parties to the conflict have repeatedly accused each other of violating the regime. ceasefire.
Since 2014, Kiev has been conducting a military operation against Donbass, whose residents refused to recognize the results of the coup and the new government in Ukraine. Conflict settlement issues are discussed in the Minsk format and at the Normandy Four meetings.