Before considering the Geneva agreements, we turn to the background. What is the essence of the problems encountered in Ukraine?
Background
Over the past years, Ukraine, like other countries in the western CIS, has been negotiating possible integration into Europe. The first step towards it is the signing of an economic agreement with the European Union. It was expected that its president, Viktor Yanukovych, will sign in November in Vilnius. But that did not happen. In response to the central square of Kiev, supporters of European integration began to gather in order to influence the government and force it to sign an agreement. Therefore, the protests in the square and in the media were called "Euromaidan".
Coup d'etat
Since January 2014, protesters with whom the government could not cope began to actively demand the resignation of the president. Riots intensified, clashes took place with the police and special forces protecting public buildings. On February 22, the president “disappeared”, later it will become clear that he fled to Russia. Rada appointed acting president until new elections. It should be said that all these events were accompanied by Russophobic sentiments, because Russia did not approve of Ukraine’s actions on European integration. Then the question of languages was raised, in the sense of banning Russian in the regions. It was possible to celebrate victory and triumph. But suddenly, the southern and eastern regions, still silent, cast their voices. As a result, Crimea separated from Ukraine and immediately became part of Russia, and in the east there was a movement for federalization.
The attempt of the world community to resolve the Ukrainian crisis
The Geneva agreements in Ukraine were a response to the growing centrifugal movement in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, which were joined by other eastern and southern regions. In the west, the national Ukrainian forces that came even earlier to power continued to rage, and in the east a militia began to form against those who wanted to impose the will of the Maidan, which unlawfully carried out a coup, on the population. In general, such events are characterized by one concept - "civil war". In these conditions, the world community could not stay away. The Geneva agreements, in the form in which they were signed, could really resolve the conflict, but the problem was that each side in its own way understood the essence of the agreements.
Measures to reduce stress in the country
We turn to the original source, which sets out the Geneva agreements on Ukraine. The text signed by the four parties to the negotiations (Russia, the United States of America, the European Union and Ukraine) can be easily found in many media sources.
- First, the principle of abstinence from violence by all parties to the conflict was proclaimed. Isn’t it too late after all that happened?
- Secondly, the inadmissibility of the manifestation of all kinds of extremism was noted: racial, national or religious. Especially prescribed anti-Semitism. Of course, how could it be without mentioning the constantly offended!
- Disarm all illegal armed groups and free occupied buildings. I would especially like to note that the 2014 Geneva agreements speak of all armed groups, regardless of political orientation and the timing of armaments, both in the west and in the east.
- Amnesty is promised to almost all those who lay down their arms. The only exceptions are those whose wines deserve the death penalty. Interesting wording again. Who, when and by what laws will decide this issue of the death penalty?
- Observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and representatives of the United States and the Russian Federation will be sent to Ukraine to assist the authorities and as mediators in the negotiations.
Hopes
The Ukrainian authorities immediately after signing the agreements announced the beginning of their implementation. But official Kiev for some reason interpreted the text of the agreements in its own way. An official statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke about establishing the situation only in the east of the country and ignored the presence of illegal armed groups in the west. Accordingly, all of the above measures applied to Donbass and Lugansk. At first, having promised a general discussion of the issues of revising the
foundations of the constitutional system regarding decentralization of power, the cabinet soon abandoned this idea. Also, to show the government’s desire for a peaceful solution to the problems that have arisen, draft amnesty laws have been prepared. How real were the hopes that the press was blowing, time showed.
Insolvency agreements
Just a week later, it became clear that the Geneva agreements of April 17 are untenable. What is the reason for this? Many European media outlets hastened to say that the problem is in the "militants and terrorists" of the eastern regions who do not want to lay down their arms, and also that Russia supports the armed conflict. What exactly? In that it does not clearly express its position regarding the desire of the eastern regions to have self-government. That is, the Geneva agreements signed by Russian representatives are not a clear-cut position. Regarding the "extremists" in the east, the following can be said. Indeed, the leaders of Lugansk and Donetsk, who were negotiating with observers of the OSCE mission, refused to lay down their arms. Television channels, radio and the press shouted about it. But no one wondered: why? Maybe because buses with armed supporters of the new government drove through the territory of Ukraine to help it establish a “constitutional” order, which they themselves violated? And no one raised the question of their demilitarization. Perhaps because the actions of the Maidan convincingly proved that no laws and agreements were given to him at all?
Russian position
Western politicians blame Russia for destabilizing the situation in Ukraine. She, they say, does not want peace for a neighboring state. Representatives of Russia, analysts, political scientists point out that a peaceful solution to the conflict is impossible without two mandatory conditions: firstly, the federalization of Ukraine, and secondly, the adoption of the law on languages, which will give the position of the state of the Russian language. These measures will protect the Russian-speaking population, which does not want to submit to the illegal Kiev government and become a hostage to its extravagant decisions.
Referendum
Political actions of any object can be legitimate and illegal. The population of the east decided to hold a referendum on the status of their territories in order to legitimize further steps along the path of regional arrangement. But Kiev, long before the plebiscite, declared it illegal, the facts - rigged and not related to the free will of the people. In the context of growing confrontation, the leadership of Donetsk and Lugansk regions still decided to vote. On May 11, voting points opened. Voter turnout was greater than in previous years. The overwhelming majority voted for the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics and asked to join Russia. It should be noted that the plebiscite took place in the most difficult conditions of the military conflict, one can argue about its results. Why, then, in peacetime, they did not allow him to be held, but tried in every possible way to disrupt it? Since then, Ukraine has completely forgotten the Geneva agreements and found a lot of excuses for continuing the "anti-terrorist operation." And where do so many terrorists come from in Ukraine?
Regulation for July 2014
Two weeks later, the presidential elections in Ukraine were already taking place throughout its territory. They could become a new beginning of state peace and harmony. The victory was won by Petro Poroshenko. But the bloodshed not only did not stop - it took on new, large-scale turns. The mass exodus of civilians to Russia, tens of thousands of victims from one side and the other. In June, from the twentieth day, a formal truce lasted ten days in the east of the country. But in early July, the war continued in full. And one and the other side speak of readiness to negotiate, but continue to shoot and kill each other. What is the Geneva agreement at the moment? This is a story, a fragile attempt to avoid casualties, which has never been taken seriously enough by politicians. From the very beginning, there were too many unsaid, too many contradictions. The face of the international community has saved, an attempt has been made. Well, the war continues and when and how will end - no one can say.