Putin’s agenda for Donbas – Russian expert
Recently, Putin sent a clear message he will not annex Donbas, says Russian expert Andrei Piontkovsky in the Apostrof Sept. 17.
“There is nothing new in such declarations. For over a year after the collapse of his New Russia project to tear away several Ukraine’s oblasts from Kyiv Putin has been baiting Ukrainians with illusory territorial integrity of their country by saying, “Russia is not taking part in the conflict, we are for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The conflict was started by Ukraine eastern oblasts. Now Kyiv has to talk to them and discuss their federalization.”
A couple of days ago Putin’s chief of staff Peskov openly admitted Moscow is not going to implement the Minsk agreements – “Why do they demand that we implement some agreements? We are no party to the conflict.”
Kremlin’s cherished dream is to throw now absolutely destroyed breakaway republics (with most valuable industrial equipment pillaged by Moscow) on Ukraine’s neck. Their criminal leaders, if the elections are held now, will sit in the Kyiv Rada and bloc Ukraine’s integration into Europe.
Moreover, Ukraine must pay for the damage done, Putin believes.
Peskov’s and Putin’s declarations put the lid on the implementation of the Minsk agreements by Russia which totally controls the rebels.
I hope, Ukrainian fully realize this cunning plan of Pres Putin,” the Russian expert says.