'Malorossiya' Initiative Runs Counter to Minsk Deal - Russia OSCE Envoy

The initiative on creation of a new 'Malorossiya' state does not fit with the sides' obligations on the implementation of the Minsk agreements on the Ukrainian reconciliation, Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – On Tuesday, Alexander Zakharchenko, the leader of the east Ukrainian self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) proposed a three-year transition period toward a new state called Malorossiya ("Little Russia") as a way to settle the conflict in the region.

"In my opinion, these claims do not fit in the sides’ obligations under the Minsk agreements," Lukashevich said during a video linkup.

Russian envoy to the Contact Group on the Ukrainian settlement, Boris Gryzlov, said that the DPR leader's proclamation of a new state called Malorossiya doesn't fit in the Ukrainian reconciliation process as part of the Minsk deal, adding that it "is not a subject of realpolitik."

The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, also commented on the move by saying that it is the DPR leader Zakharchenko's personal initiative.

Following DPR's announcement, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko vowed to restore sovereignty over Donbass.

Germany and France condemned the move with Berlin calling the proposal "absolutely unacceptable" and Paris urging Russia to condemn the DPR's decision.