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Russia’s envoy says Kiev tries to avoid political solutions to Donbass conflict

MINSK, December 7. /TASS/. Official Kiev is making attempts to avoid discussions on the detailed political agenda aimed at finding solutions to the Donbass conflict, Russia’s Plenipotentiary Representative at the Minsk talks Boris Gryzlov said on Wednesday.

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"Unfortunately, I have to say that official Kiev is trying to avoid discussions about the political issues, substituting them with items from the economy sector and humanitarian issues,": Gryzlov said.

Nonetheless, Russia’s envoy at the Minsk peace talks said that "it is impossible to find solutions to economic and humanitarian issues, without resolving key moments linked to the security issues and the political reform recorded in the Minsk accords."

"Firstly, Ukraine’s attempts to concentrate only on the humanitarian issues and the economy look like actions aimed at mothballing the entire peace process," he said.

"Secondly, it is impossible to find solutions to economic and humanitarian issues, without solving key moments linked to the security issues and political reform recorded in the Minsk accords," the Russian envoy added.

"Thirdly, until Kiev announces amnesty for all participants in the events in southeastern Ukraine or agrees to the all-for-all formula for prisoner exchanges recorded in the Package of Measures, progress in humanitarian issues is hard to imagine," Gryzlov added. "Besides, until the economic blockade imposed by Kiev on certain areas in Donbass is lifted, it is impossible to go ahead in solving accumulated issues in the economy."

"The clue needed to solve the tasks lies in implementation of a political package and in strict compliance with the security agreements. Finally, only finding solutions to all these issues, we can move ahead," he said in conclusion.

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