The reason why the Steinmeier Formula emerge is that the Minsk agreements do not indicate the sequence in which all the points indicated will be implemented: the cessation of hostilities, the holding of elections in the ORLDO, the reintegration of Donbass, disarmament of militants, transfer of borders under the control of Ukraine, the exchange of all hostages, the withdrawal of troops, etc. QHA media published a detailed article (available in Russian) on the Steinmeier Formula.
Thus Ukraine insists on the following sequence:
• A complete ceasefire in the Donbass by both sides - both by the Russian-occupying forces and the Ukrainian military.
• Withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territories, as well as complete disarmament of illegal units.
• The return of control over the border with Russia in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions to Ukraine, the possible introduction of UN and OSCE peacekeepers to the border.
• Conducting fair elections in accordance with Ukrainian law.
The former representative of Ukraine in the Tripartite Contact Group in Minsk, Roman Bezsmertnyi, said that a document containing the so-called Steinmeier Formula is being prepared for the heads of state of the Normandy format in Minsk, which contains Ukraine’s obligations to hold elections in the occupied territories of Donbass.
