Writing for the Atlantic Council, P. Niland stated, “One of the most startling examples of the adage ‘there are two sides to every story’ is the difference in perceptions over the implementation of the Minsk Agreements between Ukraine and Russia. Minsk, if handled in good faith, could be the roadmap to deescalate the war in Ukraine and bring peace to the region.[…] Efforts to pretend that Russia is just a mediator in the Minsk process are a sham. Russia’s guiding hand, including resupply of weapons and soldiers, are all over the conflict. Russia’s involvement is well past the point of plausible deniability. […] The fact that Minsk II included language about removing all foreign armed formations from Ukraine is a clear acknowledgement of Russia’s role in the war. But now both sides are apparently responsible for failing to meet all of the Minsk conditions. […] In reality, Ukraine hasn’t finished the process of amending its constitution to allow for greater decentralization, which is key to fulfilling its Minsk commitments, and that is it. (Decentralization is a nationwide change that doesn’t have anything to do with the conflict zones specifically.) Amending the constitution is rightly a process that takes time for discussion, reflection, and review. […] Russia and its proxies could release all of their hostages tomorrow, and there is no good reason why they refuse. […] Russia and its proxies could also allow for aid to be distributed by internationally recognized humanitarian agencies, as required in Minsk II, but instead they hamper their work […] Russia could withdraw its armed forces from Ukraine, but it has not. It could do this tomorrow. But that would spell an end to Putin’s ill-conceived adventures in eastern Ukraine […] Russia could allow the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to monitor all parts of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, but it does not. […] Russia could respect the ceasefire element of Minsk, but it does not. […] Yes, Kyiv needs to put its reforms into high gear before the international community loses patience, but that is another topic. Russia needs to fulfill its Minsk commitments now. No rational person can plausibly argue that both sides are equally delinquent in the fulfillment of Minsk.” The full article is available at http://www.atlanticcouncil.
Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
10 February 2016, 7PM Kyiv time
1. Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported that this morning near Maryinka, Donetsk oblast, a civilian minibus hit a landmine. Four civilians were killed. The RNBO reported that yesterday towards Luhansk, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions at Stanytsia Luhanska with mortars. Towards Donetsk, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions near Zaytseve with mortars. Near the Donetsk airport, Russian-terrorist forces fired on Ukrainian positions. Towards Mariupol, Russian-terrorist forces fired on Ukrianian positions near Maryinka with grenade launchers. Near Talakivka and Shyrokyne, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions with mortars. The RNBO reported that in the last 24 hours no Ukrainian soldiers were killed or wounded in action.
2. IMF chief calls on Ukraine to speed up reforms
IMF Managing Director C. Lagarde stated that Ukraine could lose its IMF program if the authorities do not speed up reforms, Reuters reported. Lagarde stated, “Without a substantial new effort to invigorate governance reforms and fight corruption, it is hard to see how the IMF-supported programme can continue and be successful. […] Ukraine risks a return to the pattern of failed economic policies that has plagued its recent history. It is vital that Ukraine’s leadership acts now to put the country back on a promising path of reform.”
3. Canadian Armed Forces begin new training cycle of Ukrainian troops
The new rotation of Joint Task Force Ukraine (JTF-U) – approximately 200 Canadian soldiers, mostly from 2nd Canadian Division began a new training cycle as part of Operation Unifier. Canada’s Department of National Defence stated, “JTF-U, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Arsenault, replaces 4th Canadian Division to continue the collaborative work of providing military training and capacity building to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Canadians are working alongside U.S., U.K., Latvian and Lithuanian military instructors at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre (IPSC) in Starychi, Ukraine. Op UNIFIER is part of the whole-of-government effort involved in Canada’s support to Ukraine, which focuses on development, security, democracy and humanitarian aid. Specifically, the Canadian Armed Forces are mandated to support the efforts to enhance the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ capacities. […]Everything taught during the training is contributing to the transformation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. On the tactical level, the Ukrainian soldiers and officers are there to learn how to modify their procedures and methods to enable them to work with Western countries. JTF-U is working with its partners to determine what institutional changes are needed to ensure that training continues and to make the Ukrainian military’s structures and work methods compatible with those of its allies.”
4. US Ambassador to Ukraine: US committed to standing with the Ukrainian people
Speaking at the Collegium on Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice Reform at the Cabinet of Ministers, US Ambassador to Ukraine G. Pyatt stated, “I want to offer the strongest possible assurance of the United States regarding our commitment to continue to stand with the Ukrainian people so long as Ukraine — the Ukrainian Government, the Ukrainian Rada, and the President — continue to stick to the difficult path of reform and make emphatically clear that the policies and practices that did so much to hold this country back in the past will no longer be tolerated.” Pyatt’s full remarks are available at http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/
5. Atlantic Council on Russia’s continuing refusal to fulfill Minsk obligations
