Preamble: The following two interviews were given by Igor Strelkov on July 12 and 13, 2014, respectively. The first interview (July 12, 2014) is currently being translated and will be made available as soon as possible. The second interview (July 13, 2014) is now available.
Video: Interview with Igor Strelkov, July 12, 2014 / Shelling of Maryinka with Grads and Uragans
Transcript: Watch This Space; Transcript Will be Made Available as Soon as Possible.
Video: Interview with Igor Strelkov, July 13, 2014 / Kiev’s Goal is to Drag Russia Into This War
Translated from Russian by Gleb Bazov / edited by @GBabeuf
Transcript: Kiev’s Goal is to Drag Russia Into This War
Igor Strelkov: The Militia’s engaged in constant, uninterrupted fighting. At this moment in time, very heavy battles are ongoing near Lugansk. There the enemy’s concentrated enormous, overwhelming forces. According to our estimates, over seventy tanks are operating against us, or, rather, against our comrades in Lugansk, in that region.
At this time, we’re sending whatever ammunition and reinforcements we can there. However, the ratio of forces is simply disheartening, because, having put mercenaries behind the steering wheels of tanks, the Ukrainian side is seeking to have the outcome of the war decided by cutting us off from Russia.
For our part, we try to help by attacking the enemy on various fronts. Thus, for instance, last night in the area north of Karlovka our reconnaissance team attacked a battery of Grad systems. One vehicle—installation—was destroyed, and one was damaged. We will, of course, continue our attacks.
However, it must be understood that the Militia is unable to fundamentally break the flow of this war, particularly because the enemy is indeed being supplied to the highest degree. We have information that four anti-tank Apache helicopters have been transferred into Ukraine, which they’re contemplating using not even against us, but against Russia, if it decides to help us in a more active manner.
Question: Is this a provocation or is it an entirely purposeful measure?
Igor Strelkov: After witnessing the use of chemical weapons in Semyonovka, I no longer doubt that anything could happen. Pretty much everything’s being tried to pull Russia into this war. Either that, or to obtain confirmation that Russia won’t enter this war and won’t defend its brothers here in Ukraine.
They’ve effectively lost sight of the shores, if I may use this expression. They’ve simply lost all measure; lost all touch with reality. They’re no longer ashamed of anything. They think they’re entitled to do anything they want, to use whatever weapons they want, and to shell… They’d even shell Moscow, given the chance. There’s no honour, no conscience; there’s no understanding, none at all.
SLAVYANGRAD.org 
Dear Gleb Basov, Igor Strelkov, and Friends of Novorossiya,
I am responding to your reports on the Novorossiya conflict with great sympathy.
FYI, I have forwarded the letter below to several influencial people, and want to let you know of its existence. Please read it with an open mind. I am not asking Novorossiya to present this Proposal, as it might be seen as a compromise. Instead, I’m hoping a neutral or sympathetic foreign government will present it. My hope is for immediate peace in Ukraine and freedom for the Donbass people.
Thank you.
Dear –,
As an American grateful for the peace we’ve enjoyed in this country, I’m concerned about the conflict in Ukraine’s Donbass region, where civilians are perishing daily, towns are besieged without food or water, and young West Ukraine men themselves are dying in battle.
I’m asking for your help in bringing an end to this conflict. Below is a proposed Peace Plan. If you are able to contact those responsible or influential in the region, please kindly pass this on.
Sincerely,
Kathleen A. Rosser
Ukraine Peace Proposal
(Preliminary Draft Condensed)
July 12, 2014
Premise
The killing of the Donbass people must end.
To peacefully end the Ukrainian conflict, the following terms must be met. This agreement requires the signatures of 1) Petro Poroshenko; 2) designated leaders of the proclaimed Donetsk Lugansk republic, 3) Vladimir Putin or delegate; and delegates of 4) NATO, 5) the EU, and 6) the IMF.
Key Points
The autonomous Donetsk Lugansk Region must be neutral.
Ukraine and foreign military must immediately withdraw.
Amnesty must be universal.
Existing contracts remain in force.
The IMF must comply regarding its loan requirements.
Delay must be avoided.
This agreement is self-enforcing.
1. Donetsk Lugansk must be designated an autonomous region within the nation of Ukraine. Autonomy must include 1) neutrality: neither NATO nor Russian military activities are allowed on Donetsk Lugansk soil; 2) a currency of choice; 3) control of airspace; 4) exemption from EU regulations; and 5) control of Russian border and trade.
Reason: The Kiev government fears that a fully independent Donetsk Lugansk would join the Russian Federation. This is unacceptable to Kiev, the EU, and other factions with regional interests. Therefore, if Donetsk-Lugansk does not remain part of Ukraine, Poroshenko would reject this agreement, and the killing of Donbass people will continue. Similarly, if Donetsk Lugansk is not granted autonomy, the region’s leaders would have to continue the fight for independence. Moreover, if NATO activities were not explicitly prohibited in the Donetsk Lugansk Region, Russia might be unwilling to sign.
Key Point: The autonomous Donetsk Lugansk Region must be neutral.
2. Upon ratification of this Plan, all Ukraine military forces will withdraw from Donetsk Lugansk and a surrounding buffer zone. All military personnel will be allowed to exit the region unhindered. All military equipment now held by Donetsk Lugansk defense forces will remain in their possession. Donetsk Lugansk will retain a militia, authorized to act within its borders. Russian or other foreign citizens active in the military conflict will exit Ukraine or lay down arms.
Reason: Ukraine military withdrawal will automatically result in a ceasefire, since there will no longer be two opposing sides in the region. The Donetsk Lugansk defense forces will keep their arms, both to ensure near term security, and to support a militia. If not, the Donetsk Lugansk leaders would be reluctant to sign this agreement. If foreign-citizen fighters do not exit or lay down arms, it would undermine trust in this agreement.
Key Point: Ukraine and foreign military must immediately withdraw.
3. Neither Poroshenko nor his administration or armed forces shall be indicted for crimes related to the 2014 Ukraine military conflict. No person in Donetsk Lugansk nor anywhere else shall be indicted for terrorism or other crimes related to this conflict.
Reason: If Poroshenko’s government faced a threat of indictment for war crimes, he might not sign an agreement. If anyone in Donetsk Lugansk could be indicted for terrorism or other related crimes, they would have to keep fighting to protect their lives. Universal amnesty is necessary for successful ratification of this Plan. Otherwise, the killing will continue.
Key Point: Amnesty must be universal.
4. All preexisting corporate contracts affecting land within the Donetsk Lugansk Region must remain in force.
Reason: If oil or gas contracts or leases were nullified, this would be unacceptable to factions with major regional interests. These factions would then exert influence to stop ratification of the agreement, and the killing would continue.
Key Point: Existing contracts remain in force.
5. The IMF must not require that loans to the Kiev government be contingent on a fully unified Ukraine, but must be willing to honor a peace settlement with an autonomous Donetsk Lugansk.
Reason: if an IMF loan is contingent upon full unification, the Kiev government may see no choice but to keep fighting.
Key Point: The IMF must comply regarding its loan requirements.
6. The EU must not require Donetsk Lugansk to comply with its regulations (see item 2).
7. NATO must not conduct military or other activities in Donetsk Lugansk (see item 2).
8. The Russian Federation must not conduct military activities in Donetsk Lugansk (see item 2).
9. Talks on reparations or referendums for other regions are separate from this agreement. This Plan is not contingent on reparations or the future status of any region other than Donetsk and Lugansk.
Reason: To address these complex issues here could delay ratification, and the killing would continue.
Key Point: Delay must be avoided.
10. This agreement is self enforcing. No foreign party will conduct peace keeping actions, and no region will enforce compliance on another region. This does not preclude the presence of neutral observers.
Reason: If foreign or domestic forces carried out peace keeping actions, this might exacerbate tensions and carry the risk of enlargement of the conflict. Each signatory acknowledges that compliance is in their best interests.
Key Point: This agreement is self-enforcing.
This Peace Plan expires (July 30, 2024).
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Posted by kate pomeroy | Jul 14, 2014, 15:40No war criminal needs to be exempt for war crimes. I am sure that will be rejected.
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Posted by Lisa Karpova | Jul 17, 2014, 01:26