Myechyslaw Hryb: Aggressor who started war in Ukraine not kept in place

There is no guarantee that an agreement within the framework of "Normandy Four" will be performed.

Myechyslaw Hryb, the twelfth Chairman of the Supreme Soviet, stated that , Belprauda reports.

- What do you think about results of the Normandy Four negotiations?

- I think it's early to talk about the end; it's not the final point that may lead to peace in Ukraine. Indeed, the talks of the Normandy Four are the first step on this way, but there are a lot of things to do yet.

-The parties of the conflict agreed upon a cease-fire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons, prisoner swaps on the "all-for-all" principle. But the previous Minsk agreements on these issues remained unsatisfied. Are there mechanisms to implement the agreements reached?

-Mechanisms are known, but they are based on a good will of both parties. As I understand, a buffer zone has not been established. They already agreed upon ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons, prisoner swaps in September in Minsk, but those agreements were not been implemented. The situation may come up again: today they have agreed to cease fire, but the next day they resumed hostilities.

There is no guarantee that an agreement within the framework of "Normandy Four" will be performed.

- Does it mean that the reached agreements are not able to provide a lasting peace?

- There are no guarantees. It seems like all parties of the talks, including European mediators, agree that it is needed to cease fire and stop killing people. But who can ensure the compliance with the agreements? Unfortunately, I see no guarantees for their implementation.

-Edward Lucas called the agreement of the "Normandy Four" the surrender of Europe. Does it mean that only Russia is in favourable position?

-I think that: if there is a ceasefire, then it will be a great plus for both sides. But the aggressor, started war in Ukraine, has not been kept in place.