Water factor remains one of Ukraine’s few leverages on the situation in Crimea. Russia has made much efforts to decrease the costs for Crimea’s maintenance, but has not managed to resolve the problem of water supplies on the annexed peninsula. The aggravation of water shortage in Crimea is pushing Russia to dialogue with Ukraine on Read more about Water factor in the Crimean question[…]
The nature of the conflict Most residents of Ukraine consider events in Donbas an interstate conflict. According to a nationwide poll conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation and the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 45% of Ukrainians identify the Donbas conflict as Russian aggression; 17% – as internal conflict, where Read more about Opinions of the residents of Donbas on settlement of the conflict[…]
Position of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi Throughout the 2019 election cycle, Volodymyr Zelenskyi has positioned himself as a politician who would come to an agreement with Vladimir Putin and bring peace to Donbas. The use of peacemaking rhetoric in political competition allowed Zelenskyi win the presidential election and form a mono majority of the “Servant of Read more about Positions of key Ukrainian actors in resolving the conflict in Donbas[…]
The conference was being organized within the project “Analytical support for the Slovak 2019 OSCE Chairmanship” which Democracy House implements with the support of the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation. The OSCE appeared to be the only neutral player, which for over five years has been working on the mitigation of hostilities between all Read more about Conference “OSCE in Ukraine in 2019”[…]
Volodymyr Zelenskyi initially expected that he would be able to rapidly bring an end to a conflict in Donbas. However, he disregarded that he has either to accept Russia’s terms of peaceful settlement or to maintain a low-intensity conflict, just like Petro Poroshenko. The strengths of this policy include focus on the release Read more about Zelenskyi’s policy on peaceful settlement: strengths and weaknesses[…]
Democracy House conducted lessons in child protection in armed conflict at Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Druzhkivka, Konstantinovka schools. The lessons were conducted within the project “Protection of children’s rights in armed conflict in eastern Ukraine” which Democracy House implements with the support of the French Embassy in Ukraine. For five years, Ukraine has been suffering from armed Read more about Democracy House conducted lessons in child protection in armed conflict at Kramatorsk Slavyansk, Druzhkivka, Konstantinovka schools[…]
There are at least three groups of influence in the “Sluha Narodu” faction which shape Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s policy on conflict settlement in Donbas. Kolomoiskyi’s group, group “Kvartal” and Avakov’s group seek to use Zelenskyi’s peaceful intentions in serving own political and business interests. Depending on balance of power in the ruling party and influence of Read more about Peaceful settlement: major groups of influence and possible scenarios[…]
On November 13, 2019, Democracy House conducted lessons in child protection in armed conflict at Kramatorsk schools. The lessons were conducted within the project “Protection of children’s rights in armed conflict in eastern Ukraine” which Democracy House implements with the support of the French Embassy in Ukraine. For five years, Ukraine has been suffering from Read more about Democracy House conducted lessons in child protection in armed conflict at Kramatorsk schools[…]
After reaching agreements on disengagement of forces near Stanytsia-Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, the Ukrainian government announced its intentions to continue this process along the entire contact line. The disengagement of forces will enable to reduce military and civilian casualties, facilitate the crossing of the contact line and demine demilitarized zones. However, due to risks for Read more about Disengagement of forces in Donbas: illusions and reality[…]
A prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia brought a tactical victory to both Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Vladimir Putin. However, Russia gained a strategic victory while Ukraine did not manage to balance between the release of its citizens and the pursuit of national interests. A new stage of prisoner exchange will depend on further progress in Read more about Prisoner exchange: progress towards peace or false hope?[…]
After the annexation by Russia, Crimea has actually turned into an “island of lawlessness”. Russia as an occupying power disregards its obligations in Crimea under international humanitarian law and brazenly violates fundamental human rights and freedoms, enshrined in international human rights instruments. Moreover, Russia impedes an access of international human rights missions to Crimea. At Read more about Human rights situation in the occupied Crimea[…]
33% of Ukrainian population are personally concerned about warfare in Donbas. The question of war and peace will to a large extend determine electoral moods of Ukrainian military servicemen, internally displaced persons (IDPs), residents of eastern regions and ideological voters. “Opposition Platform-For Life” will receive electoral support of citizens who are in favour of Read more about Question of war and peace in the 2019 early parliamentary election[…]