Published in Russian on Novorossiya, Nov 27, 2015, translated on Fort Russ
Different perceptions of the Minsk process between Ukraine and the Donetsk People’s Republic could ultimately lead to another military confrontation, the head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko, told journalists today, as reported by a special correspondent from Novorossia Information Agency.
“We perceive the Minsk agreements differently than Ukraine. Ukraine sees them as returning us back, but that will never happen. The Minsk process is perceived by us as an equal partnership with the obligatory return of occupied territory as a basic condition for ending the war.
“So, there is all the less hope for a successful continuation of negotiations,” he said.
According to Zakharchenko, the difficult economic situation in Ukraine will force Ukrainian President Poroshenko to compensate for drops in the economy with military successes. Confidence in the peaceful outcome of negotiations is therefore reduced and the likelihood of continuation of hostilities is increasing.
“Initially, when we signed the Minsk agreements, we were confident that Ukraine would not observe them…Therefore we are ready for any aggression and I want to assure the residents of the republic that if Ukraine decides to unleash hostilities, then the line of demarcation will be where we put it.”
Read also:
- The Donetsk People’s Republic has taken emergency measures to protect coal stocks and electricity infrastructure in the aftermath of the sabotage directed at Crimea, reports DAN news service. Prime Minister Aleksandr Zakharchenko has assumed direct responsibility over the measures. An embargo of coal shipments to Ukraine which began over non-payment of bills has now been extended as a gesture of disapproval of the failure of Ukraine to reconnect electricity service to the Crimean peninsula.
- With Russian passports, the citizens of Donbas could be free from the Kyiv junta regime, commentary on Novorossiya Today, Nov 27, 2015
- DPR to launch commuter rail service to Russia in 2016, Interfax News Service, Friday, Nov 27, 2015. Full text:
DONETSK – The leaders of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) have announced plans to launch commuter rail service to Russia after the New Year holiday. “After the New Year, we will launch commuter trains between Donetsk and Rostov and between Donetsk and Taganrog, and one more train. We will reach the pre-war level of service by mid-2016,” DPR leader Alexander Zakharchenko told reporters on Friday.
