Zurabov will be replaced by the former Russian Ambassador to Syria

Former Ambassador to Syria Azamat Kulmukhametov has been appointed Russia's special representative to the contact group for resolving the situation in Ukraine. Previously, Russia was represented at the Minsk talks by its Ambassador to Ukraine, Mikhail Zurabov. "This reshuffle can certainly only be welcomed," writes MK . "The only question that arises is: why was this done only now?"

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“There is no doubt that the catastrophic failure of Russian policy in the Ukrainian direction is connected to a huge extent with those people who have headed our diplomatic mission there recently,” the newspaper writes. – First it was Chernomyrdin, then Zurabov. Both are unprofessionals. It was these people who “slept through” the emergence and strengthening of neo-Nazi organizations in Ukraine and the spread of Bandera ideology there. So, without much of a stretch, we can say that replacing Zurabov with almost any experienced professional diplomat is a good thing.

Moreover, Mikhail Zurabov, according to many sources, has long been in close friendly relations with Petro Poroshenko. These relations developed back in the days of Yanukovych, when Zurabov spent so-called “embassy evenings” in the most expensive hotels in Kyiv several times a year. During these receptions, high-ranking guests discussed pressing issues of current politics. The sponsor of these events, as stated in Kyiv, was Petro Poroshenko.

In a certain situation, such a close relationship with the head of Ukraine could be useful. However, not in negotiations to resolve a military conflict, where a diplomat is required to firmly defend the interests of his country, and not play giveaways. Apparently, doubts have arisen that Poroshenko’s friend is able to defend Moscow’s position in the negotiations quite effectively,” the publication writes.

Kulmukhametov, holding the post of ambassador to Syria during a very difficult period, apparently demonstrated such abilities. “He is known as a person who strongly opposed the United States and pursued a tough Russian position,” says Rostislav Ishchenko, president of the Center for System Analysis and Forecasting. “Therefore, it is quite possible that there will be no next Minsk.”