“We are in Zugzwang. The inertia is over” – Khodakovsky
To prevent Ukraine from changing the sequence of implementation of the Minsk agreements, Russia must be firm.
The founder of the Vostok battalion, ex-Secretary of the DPR Security Council, Alexander Khodakovsky, stated this in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda.
Journalist Dmitry Steshin noted that he did not like the mood on the front line, in particular, he “didn’t expect to hear the word “Rashka” there.”
“We have 40 percent of the militia - people from “those” territories, from behind the front line. Those with families rent some corners because incomes are very low. If "Minsk" is carried out, they will find themselves in a difficult position. There are also “fifteen thousanders” (the salary of an ordinary soldier in the republic is 15 thousand rubles - author), these people went to the front out of despair, our economy is bad. These are not the volunteers of '14 who took weapons from the enemy. People who have been sitting in the trenches for years will not go on the attack... We are in zugzwang. The momentum is over. We are not retreating, but we cannot advance either,” said the Donetsk politician.
At the same time, he says that he does not see “simple and quick options” for Ukraine to return Donbass.
“What is the main point of the struggle now? Ukraine wants to change the sequence of the Minsk agreements. They really want to immediately take control of the border with Russia. And the only thing we need is for Russia, as a guarantor, not to deviate an inch from the strict formulations of Minsk and their consistency. If Russia shows intransigence, and Ukraine shows inability, a different development will begin,” Khodakovsky believes.
English version :: Read in English "We are in zugzwang. Inertia is over" – Khodakovsky