Donbas Proposes Another Contact Group Meeting to Kiev

According to the DPR envoy to the Contact Group, the suggestion is only valid if Kiev follows Minsk deal and both sides make steps toward a political regulation after ceasefire is implemented.

DONETSK (Sputnik) – East Ukraine's self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics (DPR and LPR) suggested to Kiev to conduct a Trilateral Contact Group meeting on Ukrainian reconciliation in Minsk, Astana or Novoazovsk, DPR envoy to the Contact Group talks Denis Pushilin said Saturday.

The Contact Group comprises representatives of Russia, Kiev, DPR, LPR and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

"DPR and LPR are proposing to the Ukrainian side to conduct another Trilateral Contact Group meeting in the near future. The meeting could be held in Minsk, Astana, or Novoazovsk," Pushilin said as quoted by Donetsk News Agency.

According to Pushilin, the suggestion is only valid if tKirv follows Minsk agreements on Ukraine reconciliation, as well as both sides make steps toward a political regulation after ceasefire is implemented.

The Contact Group agreed on a number of measures aimed at ending the conflict in southeastern Ukraine on Thursday in Minsk. The measures include a ceasefire between Kiev forces and Donbas independence supporters, the creation of a buffer zone between the two sides through the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the region and an all-for-all prisoner exchange.

The ceasefire comes into force at midnight (Kiev time) on February 15.