Stratfor: Reintegration of the Donbas could drag on for a decade
Lauren Goodrich, a senior analyst with the American company, Stratfor, and a specialist on Eurasia and the Soviet Union, stated in an interview with Apostrophe that the reintegration process for the occupied territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions could last for many years ahead. According to her, the cessation of hostilities can’t be expected in the near future.
“I don’t believe that we can expect the cessation of ceasefire violations in the near future because it looks like the situation is turning into a stalemate. This is very similar to what is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia, etc. The attacks will cease and then start again,” the analyst believes.
In response to the question of whether the process of reintegration of the territories, which are under separatists’ control, can drag on for decades, Goodrich responded positively. “I think yes, because the situation with The Donbas is becoming a stalemate and we know that Russia is able to maintain a stalemate for a very long time. So, it doesn’t seem like the situation will be resolved in the near future,” she noted.
In addition, Lauren Goodrich admitted the possibility of lifting the EU sanctions when the occupied territories are returned to Ukraine. “However, I don’t think that it will happen with the U.S.A.,” the analyst added. Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin, announced the presentation of a plan on the reintegration of the Donbas.