Kuchma to Arrive in Minsk May 6 for Talks on Ukraine Crisis - Source

Former Ukrainian President Kuchma is expected to participate in reconciliation talks on the Donbass conflict on Wednesday.

MINSK (Sputnik) – Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma will arrive in Minsk on May 6 to participate in a contact group meeting on the Ukrainian crisis, a diplomatic source told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

“We are expecting Leonid Kuchma’s arrival tomorrow as he will be participating in the contact group’s work,” the source said.

The contact group on Ukrainian reconciliation comprises representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

The May 6 meeting is expected to focus on the formation of working sub-groups that are expected to oversee the implementation of the Minsk peace agreement worked out in mid-February.

The Minsk peace deal was worked out by the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany and signed by representatives of Kiev and the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. The deal envisages a ceasefire, heavy artillery withdrawal, prisoner exchange and constitutional reforms in the country.

Since the signing of the deal, Donbass militias and Kiev forces have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce.