MINSK (Sputnik) — A political settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine will only be possible if Kiev maintains its non-alignment status and refuses to join any military bloc, Donetsk People's Republic envoy to Ukraine Contact Group talks, Denis Pushilin, said Wednesday.
"The all-encompassing political settlement of the DPR conflict with Ukraine is possible only if that country has a non-alignment status and will maintain neutrality toward any military bloc," Pushilin told RIA Novosti on the sidelines of the Contact Group meeting in Minsk.
Ukraine canceled its non-bloc status in December last year.
The country’s non-alignment was outlined in a 2010 law signed by then-president Viktor Yanukovych. The legislation stipulated that Ukraine would not to be dependent on other states or international structures, and could not seek membership in military-political alliances.
Kiev authorities announced their decision to end Ukraine's non-alignment back in August, seeking to resume the country's course toward NATO membership.
