Zelensky’s interview played in a new way
The meeting between the leaders of Russia and the United States is a thing of the past. The parties made their statements, which differed little from what was announced before the summit. Moreover, in the press conferences, no particular attention was drawn to the Ukrainian issue. Regular speeches about adherence to the Minsk agreements, and so on. It seems to be nothing special, but nevertheless, changes have already begun, and they are clearly unpleasant for the Ukrainian leadership.
Suspension of military aid
First of all, after the meeting of the presidents, the American leader temporarily suspended military aid to Ukraine. The United States planned to transfer $100 million to Kiev, as well as air defense systems, small arms and anti-tank weapons. Politico reported about the freezing of military aid.
The rivals of the Democrats took advantage of this. On Fox, users began to criticize Joe Biden for refusing military support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Americans recalled that at one time the Democrats harshly criticized Trump and accused him of being connected with Russia.
“Blimey! Washington went berserk when Trump made just one phone call. And Old Man Joe can come, turn off the tap – and no indignation! Someone is paid very well”, – RIA Novosti quoted one of the Fox viewers as saying.
However, after a statement appeared, refuting the Politico message. White House press secretary Jen Psaki called the information about the freezing of military aid to Ukraine “nonsense.” “The idea that we are holding back security assistance to Ukraine is nonsense. Just last week, ahead of the US-Russia summit, we provided a $ 150 million security assistance package, including lethal assistance. We have now provided the entire amount allocated by Congress in the framework of the initiative to help Ukraine in the field of security, ”said Psaki. Then the press secretary once again stated that the United States would support Ukraine in the issue of defense and a possible “attack by Russia”.
Autonomy of Donbass
And even if the Americans continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, the United States will politically change its position, and it certainly does not suit the Ukrainian leadership. Judging by the statements of the two presidents, the parties will try to revive the process of peaceful settlement in Donbass with the help of an already existing document – the Minsk Agreements. And immediately after the summit it started.
The odious Victoria Nuland, who was remembered for her active support of the protesters on the Maidan, said that the US presidential administration would hold serious consultations with the Ukrainian side.
“I think we will start serious consultations with our Ukrainian partners on how they see the Minsk agreements and how they will move towards their implementation. And then we’ll see if there is a potential reason for us to be involved. Perhaps this is just a protective shield for the current conflict in the eyes of Moscow? We don’t know it yet, but we are ready to test it”, – Nuland said.
Then there was one wording that the Ukrainian leadership would certainly not like. The United States admits the possibility of granting autonomy to Donbass, which is categorically denied in Kiev. “Again, if we really feel that there is reason to see the implementation of the Minsk agreements in a safe and acceptable way for Ukraine – a way that will restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity in Donbass – instead of what type of political autonomy for Donbass, and this will lead to the withdrawal of Russian forces and the puppets it supports – we would be ready to work on it, ”said the American politician.
In fact, the United States will help implement the Minsk agreements. This is what the presidents spoke about immediately after the summit. Both Putin and Biden once again emphasized that the only way to resolve the war is Minsk-2. Russia’s position has not changed in any way, but the factor of US influence on Ukraine can really change the process.
Against the background of these statements, Zelensky’s interview, which was published on the website of the Ukrainian president a few hours before the start of the summit in Geneva, played out in a new way. Then the ex-comedian said that Ukraine could be forced into dialogue with the LPNR, and this is unacceptable for the authorities in Kiev, and largely because of the position of the so-called “patriotic community” – a noisy minority, which at convenient times goes to the center of Kiev to hold a meeting. And judging by Nuland’s statement, Zelensky was not talking about the position of Russia, but about the fact that “Western partners” would force Ukraine to negotiate with the Donbass republics.
It will be interesting to see this already. First of all, on how the nationalists will react. If you recall the fall of 2019, when Zelensky did whatever he wanted to have a Normandy Four summit, then Kiev signed up to the Steinmeier Formula. Even this insignificant action caused a storm of indignation from the radicals. There were meetings in the center of the Ukrainian capital. Nevertheless, the summit took place, and this did not affect the peaceful settlement.
Moreover, the new Ukrainian authorities also began to cooperate with nationalists. Therefore, it will be extremely interesting to watch how Zelensky will, on the one hand, imitate the implementation of the Minsk agreements under pressure from “partners” from the United States, and on the other hand, convince nationalists that “this is different”.
Denis Grigoryuk, Analytical Service of Donbass