Prystaiko Said Minsk Agreements Will Be Changed

Some provisions of the agreements cannot be implemented, and the document itself has exhausted itself, the Foreign Minister stressed. Foreign Minister of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko said that the ongoing conflict in Donbas indicates the need to amend the Minsk agreements. He stated this in an interview with the Voice of America on Thursday, February 20. “We still have not reached peace. Therefore, we believe that it is not just possible, but necessary to change this document, because some of its provisions are impossible to implement,” Prystaiko pointed out. According to him, a new document will be generated over time, which will be easier to implement and achieve results. Also, the Foreign Minister confirmed that Ukraine is working on a new version of the Minsk agreements, despite the position of the Russian Federation, which publicly opposes the introduction of amendments. Prystaiko emphasized that the Ukrainian side is working to convince all parties to the agreement that “the Minsk agreements have run their course and require change.” The minister noted that some changes to the Minsk agreements have already been made, in particular, “Steinmeier’s formula and disengagement of forces.” At the same time, Russia wasn’t against those actions. Earlier, the Foreign Minister said that the Minsk process could be considered failed if during the year elections are not held in the uncontrolled territories of Donbas or the process of troop withdrawal is delayed. Recall, on December 9, a summit of the leaders of the Normandy four countries was held in Paris. The Presidents of Ukraine, Russia, France and the Chancellor of Germany discussed issues of resolving the situation in Donbas, and emphasized in the final document that the Minsk agreements remain the basis for the work of the Normandy format.