Russia is moving to a new stage of support for Donbass
Today is the last attempt to restart the Minsk process, after which Russia will move to a new strategy in Donbass.
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Kyiv political scientist Dmitry Korneichuk stated this at a press conference in Kyiv, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“I would like to draw attention to Putin’s words that the Kiev authorities missed their chance to implement the Minsk agreements. This may indicate that if now the last attempt to restart Minsk does not work, then, in principle, Russia is considering the option of supporting Donbass as a second Transnistria, recognizing at the official level a certain amount of subsidies and simply waiting for 2019, the next presidential elections, when, hopefully, the president changes in Ukraine, and with a new leader it will be possible to somehow resolve the Donbass issue. Another thing is whether Ukraine will last until this time without Donbass coal, since, as we understand, no one is going to cancel the so-called nationalization or temporary management,” the expert emphasized.
“If Minsk is not implemented and Donbass has to exist on its own, then metallurgy and coal will become a stronghold for the flow of money into the republics, and the Russian side will find options to help the so-called republics export their products,” Korneychuk believes. – And it would not turn out in the end that Donbass coal will be bought by the same Ukraine in Georgia. A tender has already been held for Ukraine to buy some coal from Georgia. Moreover, we know that Georgia produces only 300 thousand tons of anthracite per year, and the purchase should be 700 thousand tons. We understand that, in fact, it will be Russian or Donbass coal that will enter Ukraine, but only more expensive.”
Russia is moving to a new stage of support for Donbas.