DPR: Trade with Ukraine cannot resume without ceasefire
DONETSK. May 6 (Interfax) - Resumption of trade would be advantageous for Kyiv and the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), but this is hard to do without a lasting ceasefire, DPR negotiator Denis Pushilin has said.
"This [the lifting of the economic blockade and the resumption of trade] is envisaged by the Minsk agreements, but is being ignored by Ukraine. We understand that it is hard to find a bigger market for our coal, and they have no alternative to our coal either," Pushilin told reporters on Friday, commenting on the Ukrainian statement about the possibility of trade with the DPR.
Economic relations would be advantageous for both sides, so it is necessary to search for points of contact, he said. "At the same time, the goal is hard to achieve without a lasting ceasefire, and the end of provocations; besides, it may be misunderstood by our citizens who stay under fire while we conduct trade with our opponents," he said.
"We often hear Ukraine making political statements before meetings. As a rule, such statements [on the resumption of trade], very loud statements, are not put into effect. The coal issues are being discussed at the economic subgroup. No results have been achieved as of yet. Every trade matter should be discussed there, this is the only platform for debates," Pushilin said.
Heorhiy Tuka, Ukrainian Deputy Minister for "Occupied Territories" and Internally Displaced Persons and former Luhansk Region Governor, said, on Thursday, that he allowed for the resumption of trade between Kyiv and the Donetsk and Luhansk territories beyond Kyiv's control.