Kyiv refuses to make concessions to the separatist ‘republics’

On 17 March 2015, Kyiv took advantage of the vagueness of many of Minsk agreement’s political points to effectively reject the possibility of negotiating with the separatists.

The government stated that the extension of the powers of local authorities, as well as the other concessions provided for in the Minsk agreement, can take effect only after Kyiv’s sovereignty in these areas has been restored.

At the same time, the Ukrainian government considers the separatist-controlled areas to be ‘temporarily occupied’, which absolves Kyiv of responsibility for the situation in these areas.

The fact that at the same time, the parliament of Ukraine has turned to the UN and the EU to ask for a peacekeeping mission to be sent to the Donbas, demonstrates that Kyiv is ready for a long-term ‘freezing’ of the conflict under international control, as it will not agree to the separatist ‘republics’ functioning in any way.