Donbas conflict parties to discuss disengagement from contact line again in Minsk on March 15
DONETSK. March 10 (Interfax) - The issue of disengagement of the parties to the military conflict in Donbas from the contact line will be discussed at the meeting in Minsk on March 15.
"Speaking about weapons withdrawal, the problem is more acute. Despite the fact that the new date of withdrawal in Stanytsia Luhanska was approved, unfortunately, it did not take place," DPR envoy Denis Pushilin told reporters.
The parties "could not even decide on the date" of the withdrawal, he said. "Although we gave specific dates, insisted and were supported by the OSCE, but Ukraine did not find any coordinated positions in itself," he said.
Pushilin said the issue of disengagement will be raised again at the next meeting of the trilateral contact group on settlement in eastern Ukraine in Minsk on March 15.
"We are preparing our arguments for the next meeting in Minsk, which will take place on [March] 15. We will, of course, continue making attempts [to reach an agreement on the date of withdrawal of forces and weapons] and we will insist that Ukraine abide by the obligations it has assumed. But we see that Ukraine is not capable of making independent decisions without assistance from the partner countries, and therefore we will hope for Germany and France and to some extent for the United States of America to put pressure on Ukraine, Pushilin said.
