Lavrov: Implementation of Minsk on eastern Ukraine should grow into nationwide dialogue
SOCHI. Oct 23 (Interfax) - The implementation of the Minsk agreements on a truce in eastern Ukraine is going far from smoothly, but this work should be continued, in order to help start a nationwide dialogue in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"The implementation is not proceeding smoothly, and exchanges of fire are continuing. Unfortunately, the Kyiv authorities keep on using heavy hardware, destroying the economic and social infrastructure in the southeast. It is extremely important not to allow this process to be disrupted," Lavrov told journalists on the sidelines of the Valdai Forum in Sochi on Thursday.
The completion of the peace process should result in a stable ceasefire, he said.
"Then it's necessary to implement everything that was agreed upon in Minsk, that is, finally start a nationwide dialogue on how to live in the future," he said.
"The Ukrainian authorities committed themselves to starting such a dialogue back on April 17, when the U.S., Russia, Ukraine, and the EU adopted a relevant statement in Geneva," Lavrov said.
