OSCE, DPR agree on video call on Petrovskoye situation, wait for Kiev response

Donetsk, Nov 6 – DAN. Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and to the Contact Group Martin Sajdik has responded to DPR’s initiative to convene an emergency video conference and suggested November 8 as its date, said DPR Foreign Minister Natalia Nikonorova.

“Due to technical reasons the coordinator was not available for a video call on the dates we suggested and proposed November 8 and we have accepted it,” she said.

She said that at the moment the DPR was not aware of Ukrainian reaction.

“If Kiev assumes productive position, the Contact Group might meet on November 8 at 11.30 GMT+3 to set a new date to begin practical activities on elimination of disengagement violations in the Petrovskoye zone,” Nikonorova said.

In case the talks are successful, the DPR is ready to embark on the process on November 9 at 1 p.m. GMT+3 (12 p.m. GMT+2).

“The ball’s in Ukraine’s court, we are waiting for its official representative at the emergency meeting of the Contact Group and for a consensus on practical application (of the disengagement),” she said.

LPR and DPR representatives initialed a Framework Agreement on pullback of forces in Donbass on September 21-23, 2016, which was also signed by representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE. The document provides for three disengagement areas around Zolotoye, Stanitsa Luganskaya (LPR territory) and Petrovskoe (DPR territory). Security zones of at least zone two km wide and two km long are to be established in each sector.

The disengagement was completed in the Petrovskoye zone in October 2016 for the first time. Later Ukraine troops infiltrated back. Donetsk has been demanding to restore parity ever since.

The Contact Group endorsed a plan to eliminate violations in Petrovskoye (DPR) and Zolotoye (LPR) on October 1.

On October 29, the renewal of disengagement was completed in the Zolotoye area (LPR).

As for the Petrovskoye area the disengagement was planned for October 4, but Kiev derailed it.

The Framework Agreement is key to further bilateral withdrawal of forces from the contact line which could significantly contribute to the peaceful settlement in the region. *ot

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