Ukraine considering several options for introduction of peacekeepers in Donbas
Kyiv is considering three options for the introduction of a UN peacekeeping mission in the Donbas, as stated by Arthur Gerasimov, chairman of the faction Bloc of Petro Poroshenko (BPP), in a radio broadcast on Era.
“The discussion currently includes several options [for the introduction of the peacekeeping mission]. For example, the first is the format proposed by the President of Ukraine, voiced during a session of the General Assembly. Also under discussion is the format for introducing peacekeepers proposed by the OSCE. Additionally, the introduction of peacekeepers as a police mission from Europe is being discussed. Time will tell what will be more expedient and more effective,” he said.
Gerasimov noted that the president, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ukrainian diplomats are doing everything possible to accelerate the process.
The head of the BPP also noted that representatives of Russia, the aggressor country, cannot participate in the peacekeeping mission in the Donbas. “When we talk about peacekeepers, a problem arises in that Russia is a member of the UN Security Council. But that doesn’t have anything to do with Ukraine. It basically has to do with the internal situation of the UN, which still needs reforming. The way things stand, Russia – an aggressor country – can simultaneously be an aggressor and a peacemaker. This will not happen ... Despite Russia's efforts, sanctions remain and even intensify. That is proper. Because the only way for the aggressor country to be rid of the sanctions is to withdraw its troops from the occupied territory and liberate the Ukrainian territory.”
Earlier, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said that he intends to present the idea of introducing peacekeepers to Donbas at the session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September.
In turn, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Petro Poroshenko’s idea to introduce UN peacekeepers to the Donbas is an attempt to evade the measures implemented at Minsk II.