Donetsk, Jun 19 – DAN. Ukrainian authorities have to define their position on organizing humanitarian corridors across the contact line by June 22, said DPR Foreign Minister Natalia Nikonorova.
"We officially warn Ukraine's representatives that by Monday, June 22, we are expecting a clear position on all the necessary measures to organize civilian transfers through the crossing points with respect for human rights and health risks.
"If the position is not presented within this time frame we will be ready to act unilaterally on the basis of pressing social need and guided by principles of humanity," she said.
Nikonorova said that unless Kiev makes itself clear, DPR will reopen a crossing point on June 22, and plans to allow people to cross into the Republic starting from June 25 with respect for a number of conditions aimed at preventing COVID-19 spread. Conditions include organizing humanitarian corridors and defining categories (of travellers).
"We are ready to do everything in our power to help Donbass residents return to their normal lifestyle."
Up until now Kiev has been ignoring the acute issue of reopening the crossing points and has been avoiding discussion to define the crossing point and its working hours.
Checkpoints at the contact line closed in March after the coronavirus pandemic came into light. On June 9 Kiev unilaterally announced Maryinka crossing point reopening causing huge queues of vehicles. Donetsk estimated the move as a provocation. *ot