Ukraine might need the help of the UN peacekeeping forces in Donbas. However, currently, this topic is not discussed, though it remains on the agenda of the Normandy Four member countries, as they seek ways to solve the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Oleksiy Reznikov, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Re-integration of Occupied Territories said so on the air of Pryamy TV, as quoted by RBC-Ukraine news agency.
"At a certain point, the issue of peacekeepers was discussed by our diplomats in the UN Security Council. The discussion concerned the nature of this mission (bringing or maintaining peace) and the actual area of deployment of peacekeepers - all over the territory of Donbas, on the division line, on the border with Russia. There were two opposing points of view, and theoretically, they could agree on something, but they delayed it", the official said.
Reznikov assumed that the issue of the peacekeeping mission in Donbas could become part of the agenda of the Normandy Four leaders' summit. Prior to deciding on the deployment of peacekeepers, the UN Secretary General will have to send an assessment mission to the region. This, in turn, foresees a request for funding from the budget, which must be approved by the UN Security Council.
In 2019, the OSCE claimed that the peacekeeping mission in Donbas could not be deployed without Russia's consent.