DPR views new Zelensky's initiatives as attempt to dodge fulfillment of Minsk Agreements
DONETSK. July 9 (Interfax) - The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) feels skeptical about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's proposal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Donbas talks be held in Minsk with the participation of Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
"Kyiv is trying to quit the Normandy format by hook or by crook and to dodge the implementation of the Minsk Agreements the way they were signed and, more importantly, approved by the UN Security Council," DPR Foreign Minister Natalia Nikonorova told the press on Tuesday.
She advised Zelensky "to understand as soon as possible that Ukraine will have to honor its obligations under the Minsk Package of Documents, especially the political provisions."
"The sooner the Ukrainian administration accepts this fact and begins the conscientious implementation of the package of measures in constant coordination with representatives of the republics, the bigger the chance to bring peace to Donbas will be," Nikonorova said.
Zelensky urged Putin on July 8 to discuss a settlement in eastern Ukraine with the leaders of states signatories to the Budapest Memorandum and the Normandy format participants in Minsk, the venue of meetings of the Trilateral Contact Group.