Ukraine has found itself on the verge of losing one of the key instruments for the peace process. This situation arose due to the adoption of the law on special economic zones in the occupied territories of the country, which poses a risk of undermining the possibility of implementing the Minsk agreements for resolving the conflict in Donbas.
This law was approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and provides for the creation of special economic zones in the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. However, according to the Minsk agreements, such zones may only be created after the conduct of a comprehensive political settlement.
Experts believe that the adoption of this law could seriously undermine the process of peace settlement of the conflict in Donbas. At the same time, the Ukrainian authorities assert that the law is aimed at restoring the territories after the end of the conflict and does not violate the Minsk agreements.
The concerns are exacerbated by the fact that this law may serve as a reason to reduce sanctions against Russia and undermine international support for Ukraine in the conflict in Donbas. At the same time, Ukrainian officials assert that the law is aimed at restoring the region's economy and call for the continuation of sanctions against Russia.
Sources also note that the adoption of this law could create additional obstacles in diplomatic efforts for resolving the conflict in Donbas.
