DISINFO: Kyiv is breaking Minsk and Normandy agreements
SUMMARY
Kyiv is not implementing the Minsk and Normandy agreements. Its reputation is close to zero and its position is cynical and irresponsible. The situation in the war zone is deteriorating and Ukraine may stage a provocation, which would increase military confrontation.
RESPONSE
This a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media, accusing Kyiv of non-adherence to the 2014 Minsk Agreements and the 2019 Normandy accords.
In reality, Moscow-backed separatists have been mounting tensions in Donbas over the recent weeks under the pretext that Ukrainian troops are planning an offensive. Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed on 26 March 2021, which is the largest daily death toll for government troops since the fragile truce that took effect last July. Nonetheless, Moscow and its proxies in Donbas keep on accusing Kyiv of continually breaking the truce and preparing for a full-scale attack.
During a telephone conversation on March 31, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba informed his US counterpart Antony Blinken about Russia's systematic aggravation of the security situation at the contact line in Donbas and in Crimea. The US expressed concern over the situation.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, General Ruslan Khomchak, said on 30 March that Russian troops are building up their military presence near the Ukrainian borders, which is a threat to Ukraine’s security, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready to fend off a potential Russian attack. The Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) issues daily reports about the security situation in the war zone.
Read more pro-Kremlin disinformation reports about Ukraine’s allegedly breaking the truce.