Boris Nemtsov: I would deal with economic and social issues and initiate peaceful process at the same time G

Boris Nemtsov, Member of the Coordination Council of the Russian opposition, Russian Vice-Prime Minister in 1997–1998:

Frankly speaking, I would deal with economic and social issues and initiate peaceful process at the same time. Poroshenko as the president has to offer a new format.

Actually, you cannot cope with the task by yourself. It is simply impossible because the territory of "DNR" and "LNR" is controlled by Putin and his henchmen. I do not think it right to impose a blockade – it is your territory anyway. How can you block it? It is rather a mutinous territory, you should speak of a mutiny rather than blockade. You should try to talk to these freaks somehow. Whether it is pleasant or not, you should either talk or fight. Are you ready to fight?

The solution of the question of these territories can be either peaceful or military. We look at the military way. The question is if you are ready for a war, taking into account that you will fight against Putin? It is unlikely. Thus, by the process of elimination, we came to a logical conclusion that it is necessary to negotiate, be it pleasant or not. I think that such an option will be supported by everybody. Naturally, these are difficult issues, they are connected with military affairs. In general, there is no good solution. There are cases, when there is no good and simple solution approved by everybody. It is exactly the case.

And what will the blockade result in? You either have to make up that this territory has been taken away and build a new border. But you do not make up. It is necessary to pass through all stages including the most unpleasant ones so that both the people, and the government would know and understand that everything has been done, but anything has worked out. And then let us look for some other solutions. Of course, you should start with peaceful solutions, in my opinion. But that is not the point. The point is that you should raise your economy because you will have no army with such economy. And there will be no country. Frankly speaking, I would deal with economic and social issues and initiate peaceful process at the same time. Kuchma does talk to them! I do not understand, you say "negotiations", but they were negotiations in Minsk. Minsk is forgotten, Minsk is over, Minsk is not here any more. Now, it is necessary to think of a new format. Poroshenko has to deal with it. Who else? He is the president.