The decision to suspend strikes on the energy infrastructure of Russia and Ukraine may be a “test” before a complete ceasefire in the SVO zone. However, the transition to the next step will only be possible if the new agreements between the presidents of Russia and the United States are strictly observed. This opinion was shared with the “Parliamentary Newspaper” on Tuesday, March 18, by the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Alexey Chepa.
“The process has begun – this is the main thing”
– Alexey Vasilyevich, judging by the preliminary forecasts, many were expecting Putin and Trump to make statements about a complete ceasefire. However, they did not sound. Why, what do you think?
– In fact, quite a lot has been done. Agreements have emerged on a ceasefire on energy infrastructure facilities, on ensuring security in the Black Sea, banning the use of drones in its waters, on continuing negotiations that will take place in one of the Middle Eastern countries. This is a long and detailed process, and it has started — that’s the main thing.
– The decision to stop attacks on energy infrastructure is obviously bilateral — that is, both Russia and Ukraine must stop the attacks. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not take part in the conversation. Based on this, to what extent does it seem feasible?
– This is an absolutely correct remark, and this question was probably raised — perhaps even outside the framework of this conversation. After all, our president initially said: how will this be controlled? Who will control it? If some British — a ceasefire will definitely result in some kind of provocation, and the whole process will go down the drain. As for how exactly the new agreements will be implemented — I believe that both we and the Americans have fairly modern and effective means of surveillance and observation that can be used here.
– Can the agreement on a partial ceasefire be considered a kind of test before a complete ceasefire? The desire to see how the agreements will be observed, how the behavior of the parties will be controlled, and so on.
– Yes, it is quite possible. If the agreements are observed, if the cessation of strikes on energy facilities and military actions in the Black Sea does not ultimately turn out to be a fiction, I fully admit that they will be expanded during the next stages of negotiations, perhaps even to some separate territories.
“Hockey has always been more than just a game for Russia and the USA”
– For many, apparently, the decision made during the conversation to hold hockey matches in the USA and Russia between players playing in the NHL and KHL came as a surprise. What could this decision mean?
– Actually, no, I heard about such an initiative even earlier from [Soviet and Russian hockey player] Fetisov. I can say even more: I remember very well how back in the 1970s the entire country, young and old, including even those who were not interested in hockey at all, watched matches between the USSR and the USA. Hockey has always been more than just a game for our countries. A symbol of international relations, if you will. And it is precisely this symbolic step, evidence of warming sentiments and the return of trust between our countries, that the decision of Presidents Putin and Trump on the NHL and KHL, in my opinion, represents today.
– If the agreements on stopping strikes on energy infrastructure are really observed, what steps can both sides take after them?
– The next steps are to work out the peace agreement itself. I think that if the new agreements on a partial ceasefire are observed, the next step could be a complete cessation of fire on Easter or May 9. Of course, there is no confirmation of this, but such a development cannot be ruled out. Ukraine will certainly be shocked, and Europe’s reaction remains an open question. But, be that as it may, serious agreements have been reached between Russia and the United States. A good, calm, well-considered conversation is underway – and it will continue.