Comments by "Joe Mannion" (@MrBudgiejoe) on "CNN"
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@lawrenceharris4704 In February 2015, Representatives of Russia, Ukraine, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the leaders of two pro-Russian separatist regions signed a 13-point agreement. The terms of the agreement are de forth below.
The leaders of France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine, gathered in Minsk at the same time and issued a declaration of support for the deal. sounds good. Right?
It set out military and political steps that remain unimplemented. A major blockage has been Russia's insistence that it is not a party to the conflict and therefore is not bound by its terms. Get this-Ukraine is bound to follow the Minsk II agreement but Russia is not. They can do whatever they please, including invading Ukraine.
Point 10, for example, calls for the withdrawal of all foreign armed formations and military equipment from the two disputed regions, Donetsk and Luhansk: Ukraine says this refers to forces from Russia, but Moscow denies it has any forces there. Denial of the obvious by Russia creates issues for a lasting agreement.
The 13 points were, in brief:
1. An immediate and comprehensive ceasefire
2. Withdrawal of all heavy weapons by both sides
3. Monitoring and verification by the OSCE
4. To start a dialogue on interim self-government for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in accordance with Ukrainian law, and acknowledge their special status by parliamentary resolution.
5. A pardon and amnesty for people involved in the fighting
6. An exchange of hostages and prisoners.
7. Provision of humanitarian assistance.
8. Resumption of socio-economic ties, including pensions.
9. Restoration of full control of the state border by the government of Ukraine.
10. Withdrawal of all foreign armed formations, military equipment, and mercenaries.
11. Constitutional reform in Ukraine including decentralization, with specific mention of Donetsk and Luhansk.
12. Elections in Donetsk and Luhansk on terms to be agreed with their representatives.
13. Intensifying the work of a Trilateral Contact Group comprising representatives of Russia, Ukraine, and the OSCE.
But Russia says it is not bound because it is not a party. But if it is a party then there are no Russian troops in Donbas.
So before the war started Putin said the Minsk Agreements no longer exist. But when he is losing the war, they exist and Ukraine should be following them.
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