Although MP Nadiia Savchenko’s trip to the occupied territories of Donbas is unnecessary and ambiguous, it makes us focus on several noteworthy points.

First of all, this is a great blow to Ukrainian security services and law enforcement agencies. It turns out that all those checkpoints with horrific queues are for suckers. The thing is that Savchenko and her team has sneaked into the “DPR” without any visible trouble in a vehicle that allegedly is on a wanted list, later starring on Russian TV channels. So, come to think about it, what really prevents the supplies of arms and explosives through such uncontrolled gaps, and who knows how many of them are out there?

Secondly, this is a no less significant blow to the Ukrainian authorities in the face of some deputies who hastened to declare that with her presence in areas beyond government control essentially legitimizes the thugs, who proclaimed themselves “leaders” of the occupied territories. But what is the fundamental difference between Savchenko and Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Ihor Nasalyk, who also visited the occupied territories to meet with the “minister” of the so-called "DPR" to arrange on the schemes of coal supply?

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The thing is that Savchenko and her team has sneaked into the “DPR” without any visible trouble in a vehicle that allegedly is on a wanted list, later starring on Russian TV channels

The third blow hit all those who claim Savchenko is a "peace dove" who facilitates prisoners release. Of course, it was great for the families of those who remain in militant captivity to see their loved ones meeting Savchenko on Russian TV and make sure they are alive. However, we must not forget that Savchenko brought back not a single prisoner. The point is that the exchange was not on the agenda as she is not authorized to do swaps and she has nothing to offer the terrorists.

Thus, the purpose of this trip is not to help prisoners or their families. The objective is self-promotion and portraying weakness of Ukrainian authorities. Why is it weakness? Well, how does Ukraine look if a famous “Kremlin’s prisoner” whom the whole world once united to liberate is, in fact, working for Moscow? After all, without the Kremlin’s blessing, Savchenko would’ve never been able to just come there and be guarded by militants. Neither would she have had any chance to be admitted to the Ukrainian prisoners. Moreover, Russian propaganda TV would not have followed her every step (as we know, according to the verdict of the Russian court, Savchenko is involved in the death of Russian journos).

But was there any threat to Savchenko? None!

Ukraine still has no law on the occupied territories of Donbas, there is no prohibition to visit these areas, especially if it's "visit" of a people’s deputy. Savchenko cannot be stripped of her deputy mandate as there are no legal grounds for this. And if we speak about depriving her of immunity (e.g., if the law enforcers were able to prove that, indeed, Savchenko called for the overthrow of the Kyiv government), this decision would have had to be pushed through the Rada vote. It is highly unlikely that it could ever happen.

Ukraine still has no law on the occupied territories of Donbas, there is no prohibition to visit these areas

Besides, the Parliament has not yet considered withdrawing Savchenko from a parliamentary committee on national security and defense.

However, this does not mean that the SBU should not interview Nadiia Savchenko. At least in order to demonstrate the shrinking of the gap between all that chatter about the alleged treason and real evidence of this.

Nadia Pryshliak