It’s early speaking of new Western sanctions against Russia: Alexander Rahr
“Minsk process around Ukraine has appeared under threat,” German analyst Alexander Rahr told 168.am, reflecting to the conclusion issued by joint investigation team (JIT) in Netherlands. Yesterday at a press conference joint investigation team (JIT) in the Dutch town of Nieuwegein said the missile had been fired from a village under the control of pro-Russia rebels. Its investigators said there was “irrefutable evidence” that a Buk 9M38 missile downed the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, killing all 298 people on board 17 July 2014. Chief Dutch prosecutor Fred Westebeke told about this. He stated that some information at their disposal isn’t subject to publication yet. Buk system was brought to Ukraine from Russia and returned to Russia the following day.
Rahr stated that JIT provided that general snapshot and there is no any concreteness in it. And that snapshot, in his qualification was already known two years ago, when different sources were issuing likewise facts. “Concrete facts should be published: who pushed the buttons, who are responsible for downing the Boeing, facts? All data, photos should undergo multiple checking, after which only they should be introduced to the public. This is a rather delicate issue, everything should be rather trustworthy and credible, as the situation in Ukraine is already complicated, contradicting facts and data are also much,” Rahr said.
According to the latter, it’s important that negotiations didn’t suffer as a result of all this, as without facts accusations, addressed to Russia were heard two years ago as well. And currently, as Rahr reminded, there is Minsk process, which is of utmost importance for the West, Ukraine and Russia, and which may appear under threat as a result of these publications.
“Thus, it’s important that work with this delicate issue should be properly introduced,” Rahr said. To our question what implications this report will have, he said that it may be suspension of Minsk process. “The issue refers to Ukraine, doesn’t it? I consider, it’s impermissible, thus, they should be cautious. I don’t think that other implications are available on account of the fact that the investigative group will issue other information later,” the German analyst said.
According to the latter, it’s early speaking of Western sanctions, as the report doesn’t contain any news. “U.S. satellites initially had all necessary data, thus I think, there won’t be revelations for the West, simply facts should be more grounded and complete. The West has taken all this into consideration in its policy towards Russia.
Reflecting to the influence of this process on Armenian issue, he stated that he doesn’t observe such influence. “Russia’s attitude towards Armenia won’t change,” he concluded.
By Araks Martirosyan
