Lithuanian Foreign Minister: The situation in the Crimea could lead to a disruption of the Minks Agreements
Russia could be using its accusations against Ukraine of organizing sabotage in the Crimea as a reason to move away from the Minsk Agreements. According to Delfi news portal, this was said by Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Linas Linkevičius.
“Perhaps a search to find a reason to retreat from the Minsk Agreements is taking place here. I see a threat in this because if Russia blames Ukraine for undermining the negotiation process, the Minsk Agreements will have no future prospects. We will then lose the only tool to settle this conflict. A lot of damage will be done if this is the case,” Linkevičius said.
In his opinion, Moscow’s actions may be caused by pre-election moods in Russia. “There are a lot of factors. Perhaps it is the upcoming elections in Russia. Perhaps some consolidation is necessary in the situation with the Americans who are now focused on domestic politics and elections. With more proactive actions taking place [by Russia] and more confidence being seen, not only in Ukraine but also in the Middle East and elsewhere, a certain vacuum appears that could be used to test the vigilance [of the West],” Linkevičius said.
On the 10th of August, FSB announced that the terrorist attacks that were prevented in the Crimea were organized by the Ukrainian Intelligence. FSB stated that one of the organizers was arrested.
Ukrainian intelligence agencies have denied the accusations of sabotage.
On Monday, the media, citing a source in a Russian law enforcement agency, reported that the number of detainees who are charged with organizing acts of sabotage in the Crimea had increased to nine people.