- We're beginning with the breaking news from Kiev. Just now, the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada adopted the so-called "Donbas Deoccupation Law" The south-east territories of Ukraine were found to be occupied by the aggressor which, of course, means Russia. It's official now, congratulations. The majority, 280 members of parliament voted for it and 36 were against. Now, they threaten Moscow with a global lawsuit that Kiev is going to file in the Hague.
Andriy Parubiy, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada: "Colleagues, we're voting to declare Russia an aggressor and an occupant. I encourage you to vote and support the initiative. For 280. The law is adopted".
- The charges are going to be based... Speaking of the Hague where Kiev officials want to send us. The charges are going to be based on the testimony of the ex-head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Andriy Deshchytsia who testified against Yanukovych in the Obolon Court and said that Russia had been planning to invade Ukraine since 2005 which means long ago. During the annexation of Crimea Lavrov allegedly didn't pick up his phone even though Ukrainians jammed his signal trying to make peace with him. The Obolon Court is trying to prove to itself that their former president Yanukovych is an agent of the FSB and Kremlin.
- Back to the recent news from Kiev. The Deoccupation Law is not the main issue. The main issue is that we are called an aggressor. Kiev is legalizing its engagement in Donbas which is horrible for the region. From the Geo-political point of view: Kiev is burying the Minsk Agreements, right?
Sergey Shargunov, member of State Duma:
- I believe that Kiev and the members of its Parliament preferred yet another exaltation. Ukraine retains its economic ties to Russia whose level doesn't decrease. But still they use every opportunity to curse the Russian Federation and perform their odd rituals. But if we proceed to the legal issues of the newly adopted paper the issue proves to be rather serious and not ridiculous at all because Ukraine had signed the Minsk Agreements and must now hold negotiations with Donbas and the people who live there.
We are observing an opposite tendency. Donbas happens not to be a subject of any negotiations meaning it's the territory the Rada basically gives up because if it doesn't belong to them then they have no legal authority over this land and these people. But still, it's oddly ambiguous meaning this catastrophe is going to continue.
A reasonable decision would be different basically the one written in the Minsk Agreements. For many years, Russia has been suggesting the right way the one many have criticized and even I'm sometimes skeptical about it but it's a simple way: Let's reform the constitution let's pick up the people we're ready to negotiate with and begin our peaceful cooperation. The peaceful way is possible. There's also a way of escalation hysteria saying that you don't acknowledge the existence of those people calling everyone who opposes the military engagement a separatist especially those associated with the Independence Referendum in Donbas. All of them are criminals, thieves, and separs and we'll continue to cultivate a civil war in our own country.
Basically, this hysterical decision that the majority of MP's were so happy to support is a step towards a war. And the war will worsen the economic situation in Ukraine and if you make a step towards this abyss because the full-scale war can resume it means you stray further from the possibility of a peaceful cooperation. Unfortunately, that's what they signed. Is Russia your enemy? Then sever all economic ties to it. Oh, you don't want that? Is Donbas your enemy? Does it mean you terminate the Minsk Agreements? Does that mean you're not ready to negotiate? Does that mean you're not ready for a political reform? Well, it appears so.
I think there are people who inspire the position of Ukraine because it's the same scenario of making it an anti-Russia that's never ready to negotiate. Why do they need to be so narrow-minded? Only to constantly hound everyone on our country and Donbas. It means somebody is interested in spilling blood. That's the saddest thing. I have always supporters simple and resolute actions. I think that Donbas and Lugansk Republics must be recognized. That's my position.
We see that even within the framework of the Minsk Corridor today, Ukraine once again proved to be stupidly unaccommodating. They are not ready to negotiate.
- They said they would deoccupy it by force which violates the Minsk Agreements because the Rada allowed itself to use the UAF in time of peace. They also said it was a good, important, historic day. Let's listen to an MP that's congratulating all Ukrainians.
Andriy Teteruk, member of Verkhovna Rada: "I congratulate all Ukrainians with declaring Russia an aggressor. We'll continue to move forward. We're facing a lot of challenges. Our parliament has shown that it can adopt important political decisions and take responsibility for them. It's a clear signal to all Ukrainians to all our partners that we're acting consistently conducting a consistent policy and protecting our country from the Russian aggression".
- He seems so happy. Mr. Isayev, as an aggressor to an aggressor what shall we do with Ukraine? Yesterday they decided to purchase our aggressive gas.
Nikita Isayev, leader of Novaya Rossiya movement:
- I always say we have to reconsider our approach and treat Ukraine as a sovereign country the country that is conducting its own sovereign policy and is obviously supported by our Geo-political foes.
- Shall we deny them our gas?
- What?
- Deny our gas.
- No gas for them means the worsening of the rights of their migrants within our borders. If they choose the reality where there's a conflict between Moscow and Kiev and they demonstrate it to the world then we should treat the situation the same way.
- Mr. Isayev, a simple example. Yesterday, I was buying skis for my kid in a large chain store in Moscow called "Made in Ukraine." Do we have to close it?
- Sure. Of course, we have to close it. We have an ambiguous position. Sergey has his own position — recognize the DNR and LNR. It's a position. There's another one called: Let's…
- Mr. Nadezhdin, come here, don't be shy.
- Mr. Nadezhdin stands for this position.
- There he goes.
- There's a position that dictates its own rules. What will happen under this law? Besides the Deoccupation Law, it will allow them to adopt a Collaborationism Law because if there's an aggressor there are always collaborationists. When it's a counter-terrorist operation there's no collaborationism. Then, there will be a Humanitarian Deoccupation Law. Two days ago, there was a march in Kiev called Stop Revanche and there were people who demanded these laws. It will impact the language, the church.
- The march where the Russian flag and the portrait of Putin got burned?
- Yes, that's the one. They'll act this way. And if you think this is just a small group of people the minority or something else. The day before yesterday, Pogrebinsky was here and said that the law wouldn't be adopted. He is, in fact, supporting Medvedchuk. Why does he make such mistakes? He must admit he was wrong when assessing the situation in Ukraine. The assessment is the following: Russia is an enemy and an aggressor and until the issue with Kiev and Donbas is not resolved it will be like this. If Russia claims to be that strong to be a global superpower and not a regional player it must respond accordingly.
Otherwise, the situation will escalate because they are increasing their military presence and we're protecting our borders from trespassers and in the context of the economic crisis we're going to address today we risk that the situation will move to Russia.
