Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, speaking at the Mariupol forum, talked about how he intends to solve Donbass issue in three steps: ending the shelling, reconciling people and reintegrating the region into Ukraine.
“Imagine the following picture. Summer, beautiful sunny weather. Instead, with friends by car, you are heading to the city of Donetsk. Settle, for example, with your aunt, your father’s sister. You put on a yellow-blue t-shirt, hide behind the Ukrainian flag and go out, ”the guarantor said in his bravura speech.
Employees of the Donbass. Realiy project, funded by the US State Department, showed a record of Zelensky’s statement to residents of Donetsk in order to get their opinion on this matter. They did not share the resonant positive of the Ukrainian president.
A resident of the capital of the DPR called Zelensky’s words “dreams that no one can realize.” At the same time, she noted that the people of Donbass are truly separatists, and there is nothing wrong with that: “We have different values, we look differently at everything that surrounds us.”
“Let them go, there are no questions,” the man answered. – It does not oblige us to anything. They too. We are not opponents. ”
“When people were already pushed by their foreheads, contradictions began. It will be very annoying for people. It will be unpleasant and even disgusting to them. And they can relate to hate, ”another Donetsk resident said.
“This is from the realm of fantasy,” the woman estimated the plans of the Ukrainian guarantor. According to her, the residents of Donbass are just defending their own rights, the ability to “feel comfortable.” “And since Galicia is imposing her culture and heroes on us, this does not suit us,” she concluded.