Donetsk, Feb 20 – DAN. Kiev diminishes the Republics' role in the talks to evade direct dialog, said DPR Foreign Minister Natalia Nikonorova commenting on the words of the Ukrainian representative at the Minsk talks Evgeniy Marchuk.
"The Ukrainian side keeps trying to avoid direct dialog with the Republics. We believe it is necessary to remind that the sides of the conflict are defined by the Package of Measures, in particular by its Article 2 that stipulates the sides of the conflict are Ukraine and the Republics. The Russian Federation as well as the OSCE are ascribed the roles of mediators in the conflict settlement," Nikonorova said.
She said that Kiev representatives at the talks did not bother to study the Package of Measures duly, as their attitude to the settlement is irresponsible. The DPR Minister said that precise and direct implementation of the document by Kiev is the only way to settle the conflict peacefully, and the document stipulates direct and transparent dialog with Donbass representatives.
"The work of the Contact Group is built in accordance with the Minsk Agreements and all the matters related to the implementation thereof are to be decided with the Republics' participation. We hope that Ukraine studies the signed documents thoroughly with the support of the international mediators, Russia and the OSCE."
Earlier Marchuk said that the Minsk talks are held between Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE acts as a moderator, while the DPR and the LPR are invited occasionally when some issues arise. *ot*pp