In the course of negotiations in the Minsk format, the environmental issue was considered again.
We introduced our Humanitarian Program for the Reunification of the People of Donbass to Mr. Tony Frisch. The aim of the Program is to help the peaceful population residing in areas of Donbass temporarily controlled by Ukraine by developing and strengthening cultural, humanitarian and professional ties, as well as providing social and administrative services. This program got Mr. Firsch interested.
I am also concerned about another environmentally dangerous object – Phenolic Plant of Dzerzhinsk, which is located in Novgorod urban-type settlement, Dzerzhinsk. There is no permit for special water use on the territory of the plant. Another demanding problem is that substances containing phenols, acids, petroleum products and other chemically hazardous substances that have been produced in the manufacturing process are stored in the waste disposal sites of this enterprise. As a result of armed aggression of Ukraine, the dam and sludge collector were severely damaged and require urgent repair that was started and then suspended as early as July 2016 by the decision of the Integrated Centre for Control and Coordination of Ceasefire and Stabilization of the Delimitation Line. In the event of severe damage of the dam, those substances will have a significant negative impact on the environment.
It should be noted that the dangerous zone covers such populated areas as: Artyomovo, Dzerzhinsk, Novgorod, Nielepovka, Sukhaya Balka, Leonidovka, where more than 26 thousand people live. There is also a danger of ecological catastrophe – poisoning of water in the rivers Krivoi Torets and Seversky Donets.
Taking into account the possible environmental risks for the population residing on the territory of the Donetsk region, it was decided to devote the next meeting in Minsk, which takes place on May 15, to the environmental issue.
