Emila Slabunova’s blog post, 28.11.2018

The situation in the Kerch Strait clearly shows that the presidents of the two countries are ready “to sign their doom”. Both Putin and Poroshenko are equally interested in the escalation of the conflict. At the moment foreign policy adventures are vital for both leaders to preserve their power, get their poll numbers up and distract [people] from domestic problems. External threats and military rhetoric are used in order to gain approval of their policy. The incident in the strait is so advantages for both presidents that they will try to delay dealing with it as long as possible to score as much political points for themselves as they can. Putin’s today’s comments at the “Russia Calling” investment forum has once again proved it.

Image by the Border Guard Service, Federal Security Service, Crimea

The refusal of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in the Kerch Strait imposes a very serious responsibility for what is happening on Russia’s President. What is more, it is he who bears a personal and main responsibility for the Russia-Ukraine conflict since the spring of 2014.

The people of the two countries have become hostages of this adventurous policy. However, we must not allow irresponsible politicians to drive a wedge between us.

The Yabloko party has consistently criticised Russia’s government’s policy on Ukraine and has always opposed sparking a war between Russian and Ukrainian people. We have developed a strategy to overcome the conflict, and we will carry on working to bring this strategy to life.

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