Roman Bezsmertny, former Ukraine’s representative in the working subgroup on political issues of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) for resolving the situation in the east of the country, has posted a text of the document on the elections in Donbas (under the Steinmeier formula), which was drafted on behalf of the TCG for the heads of Normandy Four countries. He said it was unacceptable to sign it.
“This paper is being prepared on behalf of the TCG in Minsk for the heads of state of the Normandy Four and served as the so-called ‘Steinmeier formula.’ I draw the attention of all those involved in the process to the inadmissibility of adopting such a document, moreover of signing it,” Bezsmertny writes on Facebook on Oct. 1 morning.
He published a document entitled “Implementation of ‘Steinmeier formula’ into Ukrainian legislation.”
“This law shall enter into force at 8.00 p.m. local time on the day of voting in special local elections in certain regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which are scheduling and held in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine and a special law of Ukraine governing special local elections in the above-mentioned areas. It will operate on a temporary basis until the day the final report by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission is published, in accordance with established OSCE/ODIHR practice, on the general compliance of snap elections with OSCE standards and international standards for democratic elections, as well as Ukrainian law, in which it answers the question agreed in the Normandy format, approved by the TCG and sent by Ukraine in its invitation letter and the OSCE Chairmanship to the ODIHR director,” reads the document.
“This law continues to operate on an ongoing basis if the OSCE/ODIHR final report concludes, in accordance with established OSCE/ODIHR practice, that extraordinary local elections in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions were held in general in accordance with OSCE standards and Ukrainian legislation, when answering a question agreed in the Normandy format, approved by the Tripartite Contact Group and forwarded by Ukraine in its invitation letter and chairmanship of the OSCE to ODIHR director,” said in the text of this document.
At the same time, on his other Facebook page, where Bezsmertny also published this document, the politician explained why he categorically urged representatives of Ukraine not to sign it.
“Danger! In any case, the Ukrainian side cannot sign it in Minsk! It cannot be viewed in the Normandy format either. This is an election according to the Kremlin scenario. This is an election to legitimize the ‘power’ in the occupied territory! This piece of paper will not ensure peace, it won’t decide socially humanitarian problems!” he wrote.
