No Peace from the Outside: Friction and Civil Society Perceptions in the Conflict in Donbas

Abstract: The paper is based on an online field study, investigating Ukrainian civil society actors' perceptions of the peace processes regarding Donbas. The study builds on the premise of civil society's importance for peace processes. The study, therefore, investigates civil society perceptions by analysing frictional encounters between the civil society and international and local actors as seen from a civil society perspective. This is investigated in regard to the Minsk Agreements, the OSCE SMM and civil society inclusion. The study finds that the civil society perceptions of any actor are based on the perceived relationship to Russia and that the process is not seen as a peace process. This is seen through the lens of a friction between bottom-up and top-down approaches between the civil society and national and international actors. Furthermore, there is a perception of an international community that does not uphold the liberal values that are seen as international but adopted to a civil society context, showing a perception of a disconnection between discourses and the practices by international actors. This shows a perception of a national and international top-down approach, which is seen as unable to bring peace in Donbas.