Friday, July 29, 2016

Babich replace Zurabov as Russian ambassador to Ukraine – BBC

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On Friday, 29 July, the candidacy of Mikhail Babich presented in Parliament Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin. Appointment Babic discussed in the Federation Council, as well as at a private meeting of the State Duma’s international affairs committee. Babic was present at the discussion and in the upper and lower house, refused to give the media comments

Previous Ambassador Zurabov, who has worked for six years, was dismissed on the eve of Vladimir Putin’s decree -. On the background mass permutations envoys and governors. He was replaced by a temporary attorney Sergey Toropov. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov assured that Zurabov left on their own, but in the Kremlin “highly appreciate” his work.

«acceptable for Kiev»

Zurabov It owes much to the career of former Russian Minister of Atomic energy Evgeny Adamov. As a graduate student, Scientific Research Institute for System Studies, he became acquainted with Adamov after the accident at Chernobyl. Later Zurabov worked in child Minister structures, including insuring the Atomic Company “Max».

In 1998 Zurabov became an adviser to Boris Yeltsin on Social Affairs, from 1999 to 2004 he worked as the head of the Pension Fund, and after to 2007 – the Minister of health. When controversial reforms monetization Zurabov was a prime target for critics of the government.

Later, he became an adviser to Medvedev and in 2009 was appointed ambassador to Ukraine, as well as the special representative of the President on the development of trade and economic relations with Kiev. By this time in Ukraine ended presidential term of Viktor Yushchenko, so the new ambassador has been building relationships with Viktor Yanukovych. At the same time, Zurabov began a close relationship with Petro Poroshenko, who at the time headed the Foreign Ministry of the country.

The big problem Zurabov as the Ambassador was that he does not like the media and journalists, close to the Kremlin said the director of the political conjuncture Alexei Chesnakov.

«In Kiev, we must be able to work with a view of the significant impact on the Ukrainian media policy. So, for example, former US Ambassador Jeffrey Payet. Zurabov also gave priority to only two areas: the traditional administrative and informal methods of work. Therefore, he had a good relationship with his closest in style and bad Poroshenko with Yanukovych, “- says the source” Gazety.Ru »

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The leak of American diplomatic correspondence, published on WikiLeaks, said that Poroshenko at the end of the 2000s, defended Zurabov in conversation with John Tefft, the then US Ambassador to Ukraine. According to these data, Poroshenko in conversation called Russian envoy figure, “acceptable for Kiev».

In the media rumors are not just about the close relationship Zurabov and Poroshenko, but almost . not on the general commercial interests

«Russian embassy worked disgusting and Chernomyrdin, and Zurabov, – complains analyst close to the Kremlin, Oleg Bondarenko, who worked in Kiev. – We sat locked embassy conducted mostly pretentious activities to celebrate the Day of Russia, were taken off-site facilities and golf clubs. It was beautiful, but the shape was not enough content. They said that the event sponsored

Poroshenko. “At the end of 2013 in the country burst” euromaidan “. The scale of the protests, President Viktor Yanukovych initially underestimated, however, as early as January 2014, it became clear that the country is on the verge of revolution. Zurabov while rarely spoke in public, it criticized the weak activity against the backdrop of rapid reaction of European and American diplomats. Zurabov said in an interview with Tass that directly influence in Kiev situation is risky, because a sovereign state the idea of ​​intervention “is a testament to the imperfection of the domestic political and state institutions».

After fleeing Yanukovych and the change of government in Ukraine Zurabov left for consultations in Moscow. On the new presidential elections in Ukraine Zurabov lobbied candidacy Poroshenko.

By this time, relations between Moscow and Kiev entered the stage of full-fledged “cold war” against the backdrop of the Crimean referendum and unfolding in Donbas “hybrid war” . Therefore, the Kremlin sent the inauguration Poroshenko is Zurabov. Then he was doubly convenient. On the one hand, the ambassador status was too small for the ceremony, so that the Kremlin showed its attitude towards the new authorities of the country. On the other hand, it was considered the least irritable Zurabov figure for Kiev, so that it could protraktovat and a reconciliation gesture

Personal animosity

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Around the same time, shortly before the “euromaidan” Russian presidential aide in Ukraine he became Vladislav Surkov, the former “gray cardinal” of domestic policy, lost the post on the basis of “wetland protests” 2011-2012. Formally, he was involved in the relationship with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In fact, in its functionality and included supervision over Ukraine.

«Gazety.Ru” The source claims that Surkov is familiar with Zurabov to the 1990s. Relationships have always been difficult. “United Russia”, which is controlled by Surkov, in his time harshly criticized the Minister Zurabov, and it was perceived them “very personal,” says the source.

«As for the claims on Ukraine then to the destination Surkov assistant to the President direct the curator of this direction was not in Moscow. Therefore, of course, the appointment of Zurabov took it as a blow to their interests. He had not only the bureaucracy, but also political claims “, – he added” Gazety.Ru »

Political analyst Chesnakov said that Zurabov warm relations with Poroshenko aroused in Moscow all the critical attitude. “and Surkov, and the security services, and the Foreign Ministry»

Since the summer of 2014 to the spring of 2015 of Zurabov also worked in a contact group to resolve the situation in the east of Ukraine, informally he was doing and mediation. the exchange of Russians captured the Ukrainian army in the Donbass. New Russian representative in the Contact Group in April 2015 became Azamat Kulmuhametov, Arabist with experience in Syria and Kuwait.

Several “Gazety.Ru” sources clarify that, despite the criticism of the shaft, Zurabov has long wanted to leave resign. But he was kept in the post because of the “unique channels” that allow to keep in touch directly with the Ukrainian leadership.

«The presence of Zurabov explained many fantastic theories, they say, suddenly Poroshenko come to its senses and when the new circumstances become almost an ally of Russia. In the moment when the windows will stand on Bankova “Right Sector” (banned in Russia -. “Times”), and that’s when Mikhail will play a decisive role, “- says Oleg Bondarenko.

«In general, any person after Zurabov will be a great ambassador. Repeatedly watching him in action. It is in any gate, – the expert added. – Poor prognostic ability. I had to hear in person the incredible predictions. While he was a man informed concludes fi, for example during the “euromaidan».



Unknown Artist

However, in order to dismiss such an ambassador, and at such a time, I need to start to find him a full replacement, convinced Chesnakov

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«need people who could implement a new course. As in Kiev to work even physically dangerous, it is clear that suitable candidates were few. Babich looks suitable candidate. It is hard, but it is a constructive and ready to engage in dialogue. He is psychologically resistant to aggressive external environment “, – says expert

Ukrainian political analyst Dmitry Ponomarchuk, formerly part of the campaign headquarters of Yanukovych, was much more skeptical.. “Moscow is no longer conducts his business in the Ukrainian direction open. There were times better when the ambassador was Viktor Chernomyrdin. We are about Babich for the first time recently heard in my life, – said the source “Gazety.Ru”. – Find me one person for the rest of the Verkhovna Rada, who heard about Babich »

« In Russia, they know better, they made the correct replacement or not.. We recently little about Zurabov heard. As an ambassador, he was no “- added Ponomarchuk

Babich -. Came from the security forces, he served in the Airborne Force, supervised corporation” Antey “, was an assistant to the head of the FSB Border Service. From 2003 to 2011, was a State Duma deputy, after which he became the presidential envoy in the Volga Federal District.

The transition Babic in the ambassadors is well within the scope of the last Kremlin rokirovok when ambassadors and governors are natives of the security services and other law enforcement agencies .

If Zurabov in Ukraine was seen as man of business, doomed to compromise and negotiate, that Babic is likely to be taken as representative of the war party. Contractor supplementing Boris Gryzlov, the current representative of Russia in the Minsk group.

In Ukraine, considering reshuffling as the alignment of a situation where the relationship between the two countries are no longer in need of ambassadors. In Ukraine there is still no plenipotentiary ambassador in Moscow. Now comes from Russia, to put it mildly, not a career diplomat.

Builds “totally controlled channel of communication with Kiev,” says political analyst Konstantin Batozsky. “In contrast to the native of Zurabov business, Mikhail Babich is less free in the decisions and completely faithful to Putin overs. Babich not familiar with the Ukrainian realities, and by definition can not be considered a “friend of Ukraine.” Therefore, to talk about detente in relations between the two countries do not have to “- sums up the political scientist

However, more than castling on the diplomatic front, Ukrainian observers interested in the internal processes in Russia and in the unrecognized republics of Donbass.. In Kiev to discuss the loss of the Crimea federal district status, care heroes “Russian Spring”, as well as the absence of these same people at the State Duma elections in the Russian politics in general.

Anyway, it Babich will deal with new trends, either to a new round of armed conflict or opposition to a gradual freezing

.

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