The withdrawal of Ukrainian troops is only an intermediate stage. Further, the " Separate legal proceedings. To begin a direct dialogue of Kiev with Donetsk and Lugansk. And, ultimately, after all this, Ukraine will have symbolic, and not real sovereignty over the Donbass. Ukraine will not receive more from the Minsk agreements, ”writes Pavel Kazarin in a column on“ Crimea ”. Realities.

You read a brief retelling of the interview with Alexei Chesnakov, associate of Vladislav Surkov. The same Surkov, who is engaged in the Ukrainian direction in the Kremlin.

Extremely concise. Pretty mean. Emotionless. Just a listing of a Russian rider. List of requirements for Ukraine. After the completion of which Kiev will still receive " Because Moscow intends to transfer control of the border only to its puppets, but not to Ukraine.

Interviews with Russian speakers - this is what you need to read in order not to fall into illusions. They are much more realistic than any statements by Ukrainian speakers.. Including a recent statement by Vladimir Zelensky about the three stages of ending the war: ceasefire, reconciliation of people, real reintegration. One problem: in his description of reality there is no Russia.

The President of Ukraine argues as if it is a civil confrontation. In which Russia serves only as a moderator and negotiator. But all these words lose their meaning precisely because Ukraine is a victim of the invasion, not regional separatism.

Let's assume that the Ukrainian leadership actually understands everything. And that all these steps are just an attempt to make Russia an aggressor. Prove to the West that Moscow does not compromise and is not interested in a settlement. And within the framework of this negotiation attempt - to return home the maximum possible number of prisoners and political prisoners.

But why in Kiev are sure that the Kremlin did not calculate such an opportunity? And why is Bankova convinced that in case of failure she will be able to return to the previous status quo? To the same when the sluggish war along the front line was a payment for the right of Ukraine to the future.

And what will they do in Kiev when it turns out that Leopold’s cat policy doesn’t work? That Moscow is not making concessions? What does she perceive negotiations only as a discussion of the terms of delivery?

How Kiev will get out of negotiations? At the same time, preserving itself in the Minsk process? The very one to which Western sanctions are tied to the Russian economy? The same sanctions that Western countries would like to annul?

Why is Bankova convinced that she will be able to slip into the eye of a needle? Whose guarantees does she have? Who promised her in Europe that “attempt is not torture”, and that the option “will not be worse” remains with her?

And what will Kiev do with Donbass in case of failure of negotiations? Surrounded by a wall? But this will not strengthen Ukrainian stability. Just because Donbass is an instrument of destabilization of Ukraine. Moscow will simply export the Donbass to other areas of the country.

This is the main problem.

Statements by Russian speakers as pragmatic as possible. They leave no room for illusions.. And the statements of Ukrainian speakers have nothing to do with reality. And from the side they remind only attempts of card bluffing in order to mislead the enemy.

But why does someone think this should work? And why is someone sure that Kiev will succeed in getting up from the card table without loss?

Reprinted with permission of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.