Zurab Adeishvili could be elected Deputy Prosecutor General, Vladimir Fesenko says

 

 

InterPressNews sat down with Vladimir Fesenko, head of Kiev's political Research Center, to discuss Russia-Ukraine relations and future prospects of the two countries.

- If we believe some Russian experts, today Putin longs for peace and wants the West to lift sanctions against his country. They also allege that Poroshenko maintains ties with Putin. Moreover, reports are rife that that the left-wing party wants the leader of “Ukrainian Choice”, Viktor Medvedchuk, to join it.

In your opinion, do the allegations that the Russian and Ukrainian leaders are involved in active negotiations ring true?

- Putin and Poroshenko do communicate, but these discussions have been put on hold. I mean that they have not met with each other since November 2. As far as I can tell, they resumed telephone conversations in November. Poroshenko has ties with Putin’s attendants as well. By the way, Medvedchuk, who you just mentioned, is not among them. I can openly state that Medvedchuk’s involvement in the negotiations between the two leaders will stir a massive backlash in our political circles since this man is likely to pursue the Russian leader’s interests rather that those of the Ukrainian President. Mr. Poroshenko knows this perfectly well, which is why all claims that Medvedchuk is to be involved in these talks are completely baseless. The only thing Medvedchuk can potentially be tasked with is exchange of prisoners.

Here I also want to emphasize that secret negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian leader are out of the question. They might make compromises but Poroshenko will never go too far. Even if the Ukrainian President wanted to make concessions to the Russian leader, he would never do this since he is very well aware of the fact that compromises are something totally unacceptable for the Ukrainian people.

- What are the chances of large-scale military activities resuming in Donbas?

- In my opinion, resumption of military operations in Donbas is impossible in the coming months, since neither of the parties is ready to wade into large-scale armed conflicts. The Russian side planned to start the war in November; however, later they realized that they could have dealt a fatal blow to Ukraine’s army only if they used air strikes. This would definitely be followed by a new tide of economic sanctions against the aggressor country. Clearly though, Russian military detachments are expected to be found stationed here in spring.

- What could you say regarding Crimea? Are tensions still high there?

- As far as I know, Crimea is in a desperate situation today. Terrorist acts have occurred in Kharkov and Odessa recently. 

Reports swirl round that Crimea is in a blockade; however, as far as I know, this information is false since shady business is flourishing there and the heads of the separatist regions benefit from it. The government has already adopted some temporary measures against this business; however, I think that by doing so they are only using economic levers against the separatists.

- Have the former Georgian authorities that had received high posts in the Ukrainian government managed to fulfill their duties? How did the public react to their appointment? Do they really plan to bring Zurab Adeishvili, who is wanted in Georgia, into the Ukrainian Government?

- They have discussed this issue rather actively; they even planned to grant some Georgians Ukrainian citizenship and give them rather high posts as well.

- Has Zurab Adeishvili been listed among politicians who are expected to perch on high posts in the Ukrainian Government?

- His candidature was discussed, but a final decision regarding this issue has not been made yet. As far as I know, Zurab Adeishvili is intended to be elected as Deputy Prosecutor General or the Prosecutor’s counselor. Although, once again, I repeat - nothing has been decided yet.

The vast majority of Ukraine’s population has welcomed the decision to grant foreigners high posts in the Government. This apparently strongly indicates that their confidence in their own politicians has faded away.

Thus, at this point in time, foreign politicians enjoy affection from the Ukrainian people, who will trust their leaders in the future as well, only if they manage to pursue a trenchant policy and bring about some positive changes in their lives.

 

Koba Bendeliani

InterPressNews