Portnikov: Good to see Putin at negotiating table in Minsk

Ukrainian political scientist Vitali Portnikov has shared his opinion with Euroradio. The expert compared the negotiations in Minsk to Israel-Palestine negotiations. The main achievement of the summit in Minsk (held on August 26) is the fact that Vladimir Putin, the leader of the state responsible for the conflict in Donets Basin, sat at the negotiating table, he believes. The negotiations may help Ukraine settle the conflict in the east of the country, Portnikov hopes.

Vitali Portnikov: “The military activities and escalation of the situation in Donets Basin will continue but there will also be negotiations. The negotiations will not allow the Russian Federation and its diversionists to develop the initiative. Thus, we will be able to gradually enter the political phase of the conflict, restore the country’s territorial integrity in the east and start negotiations about the return of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol to Ukraine as these territories are still under Russian invaders’ control.”

Speaking about the possibility of consultations about closing down Russia-Ukraine border, it will not stop the war in Donets Basin immediately, Portnikov thinks. However, Russia will not be able ‘to render mass military assistance’ to terrorists. Thus, the Ukrainian Army will be able to eliminate terrorists. This is also one of the results of the meeting in Minsk, Portnikov stressed.

Photo: ria.ru, svobodanews.ru