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Taras Shevchenko, political scientist Pyotr Oleshchuk, commented on the meeting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenský with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In his opinion, Moscow is heading to Ukraine with the help of another. He made such a statement in an article published by the Ukrainian edition of Glavred.
Oleshchuk notes that it is difficult to fully evaluate the negotiations between Zelensky and Merkel, because not all their details have been made public. However, the length of the meeting – which lasted four hours – suggests that the parties had something to discuss. At the same time, during his visit to Germany, Zelenský met not only the Chancellor, but also President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as Merkel's party leader Armin Lashet.
According to the political scientist, the meeting between Zelenský and Merkel is important in the context of the general negotiations on Donbass. He noted that the German Chancellor was actively involved in the formulation of the Minsk agreements. According to the expert, they are really being destroyed. As an example, he gave the distribution of Russian passports to the people of Donbas – this can be considered a violation of agreements, believes Oleshchuk.
At the same time, according to her statements at the briefing, Merkel does not admit that the Minsk agreements have reached a dead end, the author of the article notes. He recalled that Germany was the guarantor of their implementation. In this context, the implementation of Nord Stream 2 no longer looks like a purely economic project.
Oleschuk noted that Zelensky has already suggested discussing the construction of a gas pipeline in the format of Normandy, since Russia, in his opinion, wants to run it to free your hands with regard to Ukraine. The political scientist believes that Germany's desire to complete the construction of Nord Stream 2 reflects the government's consistent position in negotiations with Ukraine and the United States.
The expert believes that Ukraine should prepare for difficult negotiations. In addition, it is difficult to predict their results. He has no doubt that Nord Stream 2 will be implemented, which will further create tensions in relations between Germany and the United States. At the same time, Germany will have to offer Ukraine certain guarantees and compromises. Oleshchuk noted that Russia is beginning to openly blackmail Europe.