Kiev political analyst: Ukrainian authorities afraid of peace in Donbass

Next week, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is to pay a visit to Germany where he is expected to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Commenting on the forthcoming visit, Kiev political analyst Sergey Bykov said that first of all he expects the three leaders to discuss gas issues.

“The Ukrainian leader should be tough in the talks with Germany and France regarding the gas transmission. The Association Agreement with the EU (at least three articles: 274, 337 and 338) obliges the EU to coordinate the European policy in the field of gas transmission. Petro Poroshenko needs to focus attention on it in order to protect the Ukrainian gas transmission system,” Bykov posted in Facebook.

The analyst drew attention to the notorious draft law “On protection of the Ukrainian statehood from collaborationism.” Local media have called the bill “a draft law on public enemies.” As Bykov stressed, the key problem of the Ukrainian authorities is the fear of the first day of peace.

“The government has no strategic vision on what to do with a peaceful Donbass. It results in wrongdoings of the government. The law on collaborationism was not discussed with the public and is rather ill-considered. It does not have a procedure of acquitment. Such a bill needs to be discussed from the grassroots, but not imposed from above,” the analyst said.

According to him, it is no sense taking to court for high treason an official at a local administration or a cleaning woman who worked under the Ukrainian government and continue working under Donetsk or Lugansk People’s Republics.

The expert believes that the only aim of the Joint Forces Operation in Donbass is money.

“Earlier, all those who were subjected to damage during the anti-terror operation could go to court for compensation for financial losses and emotional distress. It was supported by a provision of the law on combatting terrorism. Only after paying the damage, the authorities were supposed to be searching those terrorists. From now on, the whole responsibility will be with Russia. Ukraine will be forwarding the invoice to Russia,” Bykov concluded.