The price of the conflict

How in the United States reacted to negotiations of the presidents of Ukraine and Russia

Negotiations between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine did not lead to noticeable progress in the termination of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. This conclusion comes to American information funds. However, the interlocutor of Radio Liberty, the former US Ambassador to Ukraine, Stephen Paifer, considers the fact that direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev considers it extremely important.

"Putin promises support, but keeps the issues of trade relations during negotiations with Poroshenko," writes The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper distinguishes the intention of the President of Ukraine to prepare a “road map”, which will indicate the path to the end of fire with the separatists and the restrained promise of the Russian president to “do everything possible to develop a peaceful process, if it begins”.

The USA Today also draws attention to Poroshenko’s “road map” and the readiness of Russia and Ukraine to start discussing the control system on the Russian-Ukrainian border.

Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Stephen Paifer believes that you should not build special hopes for the productivity of such meetings of two leaders:

- I think we should moderate hope, given the complex history of relations between Moscow and Kyiv. My attention was attracted by the statement of the Ukrainian side that consultations will be held on the issue of control on the Ukrainian-Russian border. If such consultations really take place and if they lead to measures that will allow you to block the border and stop the flow of weapons and reinforcements to the separatists, then this will be a positive step.

- Is there, from your point of view, now a certain foundation for an agreement between Moscow and Kiev?

The question is whether the Kremlin has a desire to contribute to the completion of the crisis? And it is still impossible to give an answer to him

- If we look at the statements of President Poroshenko made in the last two months, then he proposed the principles on the basis of which it is possible to resolve the situation in eastern Ukraine. He talks about the decentralization of the authorities, the transfer of part of the powers to the regions, he talks about the status of the Russian language, he says that he is not interested in deepening the relations of Ukraine and NATO. In his sentences there are ideas that could serve as the basis for solving this problem. And if the Kremlin wanted to find a way out of this position, then he could use them in order to ensure the rights of residents of the eastern regions of Ukraine and solve some of the key problems that bother Moscow. The question, in my opinion, is whether the Kremlin has a desire to contribute to the completion of the crisis? And it is still impossible to give an answer to him. Russian actions of the last weeks do not inspire optimism on this score, but one of the goals of the diplomatic process is to create opportunities that will change the given political course.

- But do Vladimir Putin have options for honorary retreat, if, as many observers agree, the Kremlin, most likely, lost Ukraine as a result of this conflict in the east of the country?

We see that Moscow does not retreat, despite the pressure. She carries out almost open military intervention in Ukraine

- In fact, judging by the surveys of public opinion in Ukraine, Putin succeeded in the unification of a significant part of the population of Ukraine on the anti -Russian platform. When I worked in Ukraine in the nineties, the layer of the population, for which the concept of "nationalism" was of anti -Russian subtext, was insignificant, it was thanks to the policy of Vladimir Putin that this layer increased markedly in recent months. In such a situation, Kyiv and Moscow will be very difficult to agree. But it is clear that in the hands of Vladimir Putin there is a huge number of levers that allow us to destabilize Ukraine, to support it in a state of permanent crisis. And if Petro Poroshenko wants to normalize the situation, he needs to find ways to agree with Russia, because we see that Moscow does not back down, despite the pressure. It carries out almost open military intervention in Ukraine.

- What can be expected in this situation from the Western capitals, which have already imposed more stringent sanctions than many predicted?

- If the Russians continue to go on the current course, and now there are evidence that Russian units are acting in eastern Ukraine, then new sanctions should be imposed so that Moscow feels the consequences of such actions. In addition, I think, Western countries need to decide to expand the military support of Ukraine. I think that the supply of the Ukrainian army of anti -tank and air weapons is possible, which will increase the combat effectiveness of the Ukrainian army and increase the price of combat operations for Russia. Perhaps this will force the Russian leadership to change its course.