DISINFO: Kyiv does not want rebel held territories to rejoin Ukraine
SUMMARY
Ukraine does not want a return of the LDNR because of fears that voters in the Donbas will throw out the Nazis in power.
RESPONSE
This is another story that Nazis and nationalists are in power in Ukraine and are encouraging the war in Donbas. According to the results of the 21 July 2019 vote, only one political party claiming to be 'nationalistic' passed the threshold for representation in the Verkhovna Rada. The Parliament of the ninth convocation got 424 candidates. Ukraine is also interested in the return of the occupied territories, but to Ukrainian jurisdiction. The United States and the EU have repeatedly stated that the implementation of the Minsk agreements is impeded precisely by Russia and the militants of the so-called LDNR. They are the ones who violate the ceasefire, hold unrecognised elections in the occupied territories and distribute Russian passports to residents of occupied Donbas. Also, the Ukrainian leadership signed the so-called Steinmeier formula. The document provides that the occupied territories of Donbas will receive special status on the day of local elections. First, temporarily, and then on an ongoing basis - if the democratic process is confirmed by the OSCE. The key is that the elections will be held in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine and the law of Ukraine. Read more about the war in the Donbas here.