31 Jul 2019 18:45

Significant progress on security issue since truce began - DPR

DONETSK. July 31 (Interfax) - The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) notes significant progress on security after yet another truce came into effect, DPR foreign minister Natalia Nikonorova told journalists on Wednesday.

"At today's meeting of the security subgroup, negotiators noted substantial progress in the security situation, due to the introduction (agreed on at the last meeting) of the truce and of additional measures to reinforce and monitor it," Nikonorova said.

It was these measures that played a substantial role in stabilization and that the DPR had insisted upon, she said.

"We hope that the current truce will be really indefinite and the Ukrainian side will show the necessary will," Nikonorova said.

If the ceasefire holds, this would enable negotiators to focus on settling economic, political and humanitarian issues and the significant drop in ceasefire violations and absence of consequences should enable Ukrainian troops to start restoring parity in the disengagement sites near the villages of Petrovske and Zolote, the minister said.

"At the meeting of the [Trilateral] Contact Group (TCG) we confirmed that we are ready for any nearest date for this process and that we are also ready to discuss new sites for further disengagement of forces and equipment by both sides on the conflict line. The head of the Ukrainian delegation suggested that a date be set at the next meeting, August 21. We hope a date will be approved and parity will soon be restored in Ukrainian armed formations implementing the Framework resolution in the pilot disengagement areas in Petrovske and Zolote," Nikonorova said.

The indefinite truce, approved by the TCG on July 17, was introduced in Donbas on July 21.