Carl Bildt

16.02.2016 13:14

Former Swedish Prime Minister : The Kremlin hasn't figured out yet what to make of Donbas

Europe still demonstrates high interest in Ukraine, but its agenda has changed to include more severe crises, and it also means that the situation in our country has improved compared with the one a year ago.

Former Swedish Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister Carl Bildt told in an exclusive interview with the Ukrinform’ German correspondent.

- Mr. Bildt, at the 52 Munich Security Conference, which ended on Sunday, the Ukrainian theme was present in the background. Does it mean that the interest in Ukraine has waned?

- I do not think there is no interest in Ukraine now. The question is simply that there appeared a range of other issues now.

In a way, it's a good sign that the Ukrainian crisis is not considered as the large-scaled one. The fact that Ukraine was not on the agenda of the meetings, in my opinion, is a good sign.

- What do you think about the chances to implement the Minsk agreements before the summer?

- There’s plenty of time left before the summer starts. But the time is running out. The critical issue now is the organization of polls. And if you intend to organize these polls, then it will take a long time. This means it will take from three to four months to make them possible. That is why the time is running out.

- Is it even possible to hold elections while the borders [with Russia in Donbas] are wide open?

- I think it’s feasible. But many more issues will have to be addressed. And discussions of these issues are made far too slow.

- Do you have such a feeling that Russia is too engaged in Syria crisis now and can abandon its plans for Ukraine?

- I believe that Russia does not quite understand what to do with Donbas.

I do not think that Russia will abandon its idea. I think it’s its long-term objective, and it will remain unaltered. But I think they have realized that they have to make a turn. They experience difficulties. I do think they do not quite understand what to do with Donbas. I think they realize that the military option is not listed currently on the agenda. In fact, it has been already not relevant for some time.

- Fate of sanctions will be decided again in the summer. Do you think the sanctions are quite an effective method?

- Sanctions are one of the instruments of policy. Russia faces serious economic headwinds. Although, Russia’s economic problems are not caused primarily by sanctions. Sanctions determine only partly the state of the Russian economy. Rather, they are most important as a political signal.

- Is there any possibility that they will be lifted in a few months?

- It depends on how events will develop. Yet all the EU leaders said that the sanctions were related to the entire implementation of the Minsk agreements.

- Mr. Bildt, do you think President Poroshenko’s emotional speech at a panel discussion has found a reaction from the audience there?

- I do think so. Because he focused on one message - which stems from the statement made by [Russian] Prime Minister Medvedev a little earlier who stated that civil war is being waged in Ukraine. And President Poroshenko made it clear that it is not the case. I think that this Poroshenko’s message was carried across. I think that from this point of view it was effective.

The most effective way to stimulate reforms in Ukraine - IMF financing

- Which ways do you see to make Ukraine actively implement reforms?

- I think the most effective way is the IMF. Without the IMF financing Ukraine will have to deal with new essential financial problems.

- It's kind of a carrot?

- Yes, it's a carrot.

Olha Tanasiychuk, Munich-Berlin.