The Ukrainian authorities are hindering themselves the unification of the country. The termination of trade with the self-proclaimed «DPR» and «LPR» can lead to their definitive separation, believes Bernd Johann.
The escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine has been going on for several weeks. Not a single day passes without a firefight, and heavy weapons are used again. Reports of the OSCE which, as a matter of fact, must monitor the observance of the long-agreed ceasefire, are nothing more than helpless evidences of the war that has already been going on for three years.
The conflicting parties - the separatists and the Kremlin supporting them, as well as the authorities in Kiev - politically add fuel to the fire which, step by step, is cementing the split of Ukraine. And as luck would have it, Kiev only accelerated this process, when the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) decided to stop all trade with the occupied territories of the Lugansk and Donetsk regions.
Kiev succumbed to pressure
The financial flows between Kiev and the parts of Donbass, controlled by the pro-Russian separatists, stopped long ago.
The consequences of this step were disastrous for people, especially for the elderly who must now make a dangerous journey along the contact line in order to receive a pension or other social benefits from Kiev. With the introduction of the economic blockade, Kiev stops supplying Donbass with any kind of goods.
Thus, the Ukrainian authorities led by President Poroshenko succumbed to the pressure of armed activists who two months ago had already blocked the railway communication between Ukraine and Donbass.
Before, some politicians in Kiev, including Poroshenko himself, criticized their actions. Now, the disputed initiative of the activists has turned into a state blockade in the name of the national security.
Are people in Donbass left to the mercy of fate?
In official statements, Kiev emphasizes that the uncontrolled territories of Donbass belong to Ukraine. The commodity exchange with this region should be restored, once the separatists cancel the recently adopted decision on the illegal «nationalization» of Ukrainian enterprises. It seems that thus, Ukraine takes a political initiative. But in reality, it can play into the hands of the separatists and Russia, because now they will say that Kiev has turned away from people in Donbass.
Ukraine's plans for unification can thus lose all their meaning. Many politicians not only in Kiev, but also in the east of Ukraine have long been pointing out that the Ukrainian authorities are doing too little to once again bring round people in Donbass. It seems that this goal is moving further and further away.
Insult to international partners
By this decision, Kiev also deceives those countries that are making efforts to resolve the conflict in Donbass. These include Germany and France, which, within the framework of the Minsk Agreements, have always supported the unity and integrity of Ukraine and still oppose any measures that could exacerbate the conflict.
The introduction of an economic blockade is just such a step. Therefore, the reaction of the German authorities to the economic blockade by Kiev and the illegal appropriation of Ukrainian enterprises by the pro-Russian separatists, is accordingly harsh.
Only Russia, which after the annexation of the Crimea provoked a conflict in the east of Ukraine, will be pleased with such a gift from Kiev.
Only recently, the Russian authorities recognized passports issued by the separatists in eastern Ukraine. This only speeds up the split process. And the introduction of the economic blockade by Ukraine pushes Donbass even further into Moscow's hands. Therefore, the separation of territories in the east of Ukraine is approaching.
Bernd Johann, the head of the Ukrainian DW editorial office