Donetsk, Oct 13 – DAN. Kiev's prolongation of the Donbass special status law provides grounds for discussions but does not eliminate the existing contradictions, said DPR envoy to the negotiations Denis Pushilin.

"The adopted law opens room for discussions, but does not eliminate the existing contradictions between Ukraine and us. I doubt it can somehow push Ukraine to take right steps in the direction of peaceful settlement," he said.

Pushilin added that the Ukrainian side shall keep protracting the negotiations in Minsk, and the law on Donbass status will hardly have positive effect on the work of the appropriate group.
"We should examine the outcome of the meetings, it is unwise to make predictions on meaningful dialog with the Ukraine. We haven't heard any constructive ideas from for a long time."

On Friday, October 6, Ukrainian parliament has adopted the law on “establishing conditions for peace settlement of the situation in separate regions of Donetsk and Lugansk regions”, which prolongs Donbass special status for one more year. The document was needed as the law providing special status, adopted back in 2014, was due to expire on October 18, 2017. The law is a key to political settlement of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Donetsk, Lugansk and Moscow have been saying that rejection to prolong the law would mean Kiev’s rejection to commit to the Minsk Agreements.

The law, adopted by Rada today, stipulates the withdrawal of all ‘unlawful armed groups and hardware, fighters and mercenaries’ from Donbass as a condition to enacting the law on the region’s status. *ot