Political consensus necessary for stabilization in Donbas - Gryzlov
MOSCOW. Dec 6 (Interfax) - It is impossible to end the military confrontation in Donbas as long as there is no consensus on political issues, Russia's representative in the Contact Group which mediates the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Boris Gryzlov, said.
"It is impossible to achieve complete security without a political resolution of the conflict. Ultimately, it is specifically constitutional reform including a permanent special status [granted] to the separate areas of Donbas after elections are held there that paves the ways to lasting peace in this territory. Especially since all these steps are clearly and unambiguously set forth in the Package of Measures to implement the Minsk Agreements," Gryslov said.
The political settlement process must be preceded by granting Donbas a special status based on the 'Steinmeier formula', he added.
"In the case of Donbas, this first of all implies enactment of a law on special status for the territories in question. Its entry into force must be based on the so-called Steinmeier formula, which is a serious compromise in itself. We also plan tomorrow to discuss details of the enactment of this document," Gryzlov said.
It was reported earlier that another meeting of the Contact Group on the settlement in eastern Ukraine will be held in Minsk on Wednesday.
