Donetsk, Nov 8 – DAN. If Ukraine sends police in to the Petrovskoye disengagement area the DPR shall act likewise, said DPR Head Denis Pushilin.
Earlier incumbent chargé d'affaires of the United States of America to Ukraine, William Taylor, said that as the Ukrainian military pull back, the Ukrainian police and National Guard "move in to provide security" in the area.
"I state with all the responsibility that in case there is a situation with Ukrainian police and national guard present in the disengagement areas, our law enforcement representatives – police and state security officers - shall also be present likewise, symmetrically. Disengagement in new areas shall be impossible," his statement reads.
He reminded that only JCCC officers are allowed in the disengagement areas in accordance with the Framework Agreement.
"Such an unprofessional and negligent attitude to the issue of the US representative is inadmissible as it might confuse some of the Ukrainian officials."
Earlier, Pushilin confirmed the DPR is ready to disengage forces in the Petrovskoye area on November 9. The OSCE SMM was informed.
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