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Russian envoy to OSCE notes activation of efforts to solve Donbass crisis

The envoy ruled out any military operation in Ukraine under OSCE auspices

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich Mikhail Metzel/TASS

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

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Lavrov stresses direct Kiev-Donbass dialogue most important condition for settlement

MOSCOW, June 29. /TASS/. Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Alexander Lukashevich noted progress in the process of Donbass conflict settlement.

"I see a boost in dynamics within the framework of various formats and consultations, no one wants to turn the conflict into a frozen one," Lukashevich said on Rossiya 24 television channel.

"I think that probably we will soon see some new dynamics that will possibly help countries agree on the basic elements of those commitments that were undertaken within the framework of the Package of Measures," he said, adding he hopes to see new dynamics on Ukrainian crisis soon.

OSCE-led military operation in Ukraine

The envoy ruled out the holding of any military operation in Ukraine under OSCE auspices.

"This is absolutely ruled out," Lukashevich said when answering the question on the possibility of holding a military operation in Donbass by the OSCE.

"We are not going to establish any police mission," he said.

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Demilitarized zones in Donbass

According to the envoy, establishment of demilitarized zones in Donbass, currently discussed by parties to the conflict with OSCE participation, envisions withdrawal of troops to a distance beyond the parameters set in the Minsk Agreements.

"Now problems of establishing demilitarized zones with guaranteed withdrawal of the sides to a distance inaccessible for small arms are being discussed. This is probably a bit farther than the parameters set in the Package of Measures [on implementation of the Minsk Agreements]," Lukashevich said.

Ukrainian troops in Donbass

Lukashevich went on to say that the advance of the Ukrainian troops in the area of the conflict in Donbass may be called an offensive operation.

"It probably may be called to some extent a local operation. But we will look how the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission will react to that," Lukashevich said.

He added it would be possible to give service weapons to officers of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine by agreement between the sides.

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