Zakharchenko: War can only end with our unconditional victory
The head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko . Not a politician. Not an oligarch. Simply a man who became a soldier when the time was right. He is one of us. He is like all of us. It is precisely because he embodies all of us that he became a commander. It is to him that we have given the right to speak on our behalf. And on behalf of each of us, he storms cities, sleeps by the fire, slices open stewed meat with a knife, and negotiates with the enemy. PolitNavigator columnist Valentin Filippov spoke with Alexander Zakharchenko about the reality of war and the illusory nature of peace, about national borders and common sense.
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Valentin Filippov: Hello, Alexander Vladimirovich!
Alexander Zakharchenko: Hello.
Valentin Filippov: People die every day. It's hard to attribute these deaths to accidents or the stupidity of the Ukrainian military. What's next? Minsk-3? Or is there no one left to talk to and nothing else to talk about?
Alexander Zakharchenko: There's always something to discuss. With whom is another matter. I've repeatedly stated that if there's even a single chance for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, it's our duty to seize it. The Donetsk People's Republic is ready for dialogue. The Kyiv authorities are clearly not. You've rightly noted that the shelling continues, and people are dying. Citizens of the Republic hear the cannonade every day. This doesn't look like Ukraine is trying to negotiate.
As for the "Minsk-3", I am afraid that in the near future there is no alternative to the memorandum signed in Minsk in February. I am sure that it will no longer be possible to stop the war by purely political methods, as well as purely military ones. Probably, Kiev will begin to listen to the voice of reason, when once again be defeated by our army. So it was after Debalcevo.
However, when it comes to Kiev punishers, calls for reason are meaningless. For them, only one thing is important - to stay in power, which they obtained illegally. For this they will do anything. So "Minsk-3" we will not allow. It would be just silly, I'm sure that Kiev is not going to comply with the agreement.
Valentin Filippov: Is there any hope for the "Normandy format"? Does anyone have any influence over the Kyiv junta?
Alexander Zakharchenko: As they say, hope dies last. It's fashionable in Ukraine today to present itself as part of Europe, listening to European and American overseers. Perhaps intervention from Paris and Berlin could influence Kyiv. Another question is whether Europe really wants the war in Donbas to end. European politicians are playing their own game, and I'm afraid Ukraine is just a pawn in a larger geopolitical standoff with the Russian Federation. As long as the war in our country benefits Europe, it's unlikely to end. More precisely, it can only end with our unconditional victory.
Valentin Filippov : If Kiev decides to launch an offensive, what is the minimum program for the republics? Regional borders? A Greater Novorossiya? Or "peace enforcement"?
Alexander Zakharchenko: I've said more than once that the minimum program is a DPR within the borders of the former Donetsk Oblast. In fact, achieving this goal will largely involve so-called "peace enforcement." It's unlikely that the punitive forces will be able to quickly overcome such a defeat. Most likely, in that case, another "Maidan" will break out in Kyiv, and completely different people will come to power. Perhaps we can find common ground with them. As for Greater Novorossiya, it's too early to talk about that. We'll decide that issue once we win.
Valentin Filippov: It's not even a question. You know this, but I'd like to repeat it. It's not just Mariupol and Sloviansk that await you. Kharkiv and Odesa await you. Mykolaiv and Kherson. Even Tiraspol awaits you.
What would you like to tell us all?
And how can we help you?
Alexander Zakharchenko: We will definitely liberate Mariupol and Slovyansk from the punitive forces. Many fighters from these cities are fighting in the ranks of the DPR army. As for the rest of so-called Ukraine, I can say one thing. There's no need to sit back and wait. If you want to get rid of the illegitimate government, destroy the fascists, and ensure that Ukraine stops being a weak-willed puppet in the hands of American puppeteers, you must take a more proactive stance. No one will make your life better for you. Ukrainian politicians and oligarchs only need you as cannon fodder to achieve their goals. Victory isn't handed to you on a silver platter; it's earned through sweat and blood. Now decide for yourself: sit back and wait or take matters into your own hands.
English version :: Read in English Zakharchenko: The war can only end with our unconditional victory