Yesterday I had a discussion with my party mates on Zelensky’s briefing about Steinmeier’s formula and betrayal. It is hard to convince my colleagues that betrayal has not taken place yet. Society has been so pumped up by betrayal that it awaits it forever.
Does everyone understand that Steinmeier’s formula is just one point or a suggestion on how the Donbas Special Status Law could work? I’m sure not everyone. If this item is treason, then all the Minsk arrangements are betrayal. Let us then acknowledge that the diplomatic path of the end of the war does not suit us. Our way is war.
Zelensky clearly said that elections under the guns are impossible without taking the Ukrainian-Russian border under our control, too. This is not in the Minsk agreements. Can a new item appear there? Maybe. The most important tests lie ahead, namely in the Normandy negotiations, where the details will be discussed and the answers awaited by society will be formulated.
I share my concerns about the elections in the temporarily occupied territories. I do not yet understand how the representatives of the Ukrainian democratic parties can get elected there. There is a need for discussion around this question. Ultimately, this will be spelled out in a law that our parliament will approve.
And the position “we don’t care what you do because you are traitors in any schedule” is unproductive.
No one promised that the peace process would be easy. But I want to say that we will not build an economy without peace. War will ruin us. The only right way is a peace process.
And to the president the advises are as follows: first, in order to avoid manipulations, everything should be done as promptly and openly as possible. Display the text of the document, explain and give it as much time as you need.
And secondly, prepare thoroughly for the Normandy meeting together with professionals. Critically evaluate all participants and everything they have to offer. Territorial integrity, national interests are a priority. Here it is necessary to analyze each word very carefully, meticulously and under a microscope.
Mykola Katerynchuk