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Russian envoy slams Kiev’s behavior in Contact Group as provocative

An envoy says the situation in Donbass has deteriorated

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. The Ukrainian side’s behavior at talks of the Contact Group for settling the crisis in Donbass is becoming more and more provocative, Russia’s envoy to the Minsk talks Boris Gryzlov said after a video conference of the security subgroup on Thursday.

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"Of late, representatives of the Ukrainian delegation to the Contact Group have often gone hysterical. Their behavior in the Contact Group is becoming more conflict-ridden and provocative both in regard to the other party to the conflict - Donetsk and Lugansk, and against the mediators - Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe," Gryzlov said.

During the Contact Group’s video conference on Thursday the Ukrainian side tried to change the agenda. Kiev’s representatives said that last year’s agreements on the prisoner exchange had not been fulfilled.

Gryzlov noted that Donetsk and Lugansk met their commitments, while Kiev violated the agreements. "It’s clear that the potential of good will gestures of Donetsk and Lugansk is not boundless."

In general, the situation in Donbass has deteriorated, the envoy said. "This occurred due to Kiev’s steps. Those Western politicians who encourage these steps share the entire responsibility with Kiev for the consequences and the deaths of civilians in Donbass," he stressed.

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