Ukraine agreed to Steinmeyer Formula; elections in Donbas

Source: Kyiv Post

Members of the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine – Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Oct. 1 agreed to a peace process known as the “Steinmeier Formula,” green-lighting local elections in the Russian-controlled regions of Donbas.

The agreement envisages that the occupied areas of eastern Ukraine get a special self-governing status after they hold local elections. The elections have to take place in accordance with the Ukrainian legislation and be approved by the OSCE.

Read more: https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraine-agrees-to-steinmeier-formula-green-lights-elections-in-occupied-donbas.html

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The Kyiv Post reports Zelenskiy has agreed to the Steinmeier formula, a scheme Putin has backed because his people likely will be elected in a manner that is legitimate enough to be accepted by other nations.

Also, about an hour ago on Twitter Julia Davis, a Russian-speaking journalist who monitors Russian and Eastern European news outlets, tweeted that Zelenskyy had agreed to the Steinmeier formula. That is what Putin has wanted. It allows Russia to claim Donbas, Ukrainian territory which has been invaded and in which there is active fighting.

Speculation in comments is that this is what Trump was pushing when he said Zelenskyy would come to an agreement with Putin. Other comments, completely unvetted, question whether Zelenskyy is a Russian puppet. Others cite lack of support from the US as well as the desire of Paris and Berlin to reopen Russia to European business.

The Kyiv Post also has a brief tutorial about the Steinmeier formula on YouTube.