Kyiv refuses to end Donbas blockade - DPR
MOSCOW. July 19 (Interfax) - The economic subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas on Wednesday discussed prospects of Ukraine lifting its economic blockade on the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics (LPR and DPR), Viktoria Talakina, an assistant to DPR authorized representative Denis Pushilin, said on Wednesday.
"The lifting of the economic blockade on the LPR and DPR, pension payouts and the resumption of water supplies were today discussed at a meeting of the economic subgroup," Talakina wrote on her Facebook page.
Ukraine is refusing to end the blockade, she said.
"Despite Ukraine's obligation, spelt out in the Package of Measures, to resume social payouts or at least simplify the procedure that exists today, Ukraine has once replied by refusing [to do so]" Talakina said.
The economic blockade directly affects the welfare of the DPR and LPR residents, Talakina said.
"It is a pity that Ukraine has only been lobbying the issues that affect the financial side and is absolutely unprepared to discuss and solve the problems affecting the lives and welfare of ordinary citizens," Talakina said.
Ukraine "continues dragging out the process of exchanging prisoners," she said later.
"Despite lengthy discussions and clarifying of the lists, no compromise has yet been found. Moreover, the Ukrainian negotiators in the Contact Group have cast doubt over the need to grant full amnesty to persons associated with the conflict in Donbas," Talakina said.