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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Ceasefire in east Ukraine largely observed — Luhansk republic leader

Commenting on the situation in Debaltsevo Plotnisky said LPR guarantees safety for OSCE monitors but working in the area of Debaltsevo is dangerous because of possible shelling from Kiev armed forces

© EPA/IVAN BOBERSKYY

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LUHANSK, February 18. /TASS/. The ceasefire regime in Donbas is largely observed, Igor Plotnitsky, the leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), said on Wednesday.

Plotnitsky noted that Germany and France should exert pressure on Kiev authorities forcing them to implement recently reached Minsk agreements on the settlement of the ongoing conflict in the south-east of Ukraine.

"Let France and Germany make Ukraine do what [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel proposed," Plotnitsky said.

The leader criticized Ukrainian foreign minister’s statement saying there will be no amnesty for militia leaders of the self-proclaimed republics. Plotnisky claimed the statement was aimed at disrupting Minsk agreements.

Last week, Ukrainian mass media said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin responded negatively when asked whether the amnesty agreed during the February 12 Minsk talks could apply to the Donbas militia leaders.

Commenting on the situation in Debaltsevo, a site of fierce fighting between the government forces and militias, Plotnisky said LPR guarantees safety for OSCE monitors but working in the area of Debaltsevo is dangerous because of possible shelling from Kiev armed forces.

"OSCE monitors do not require our permission. They have all opportunities according to our agreements," Plotnitsky said adding that "such a guarantee had been given but "there is no guarantee" that the OSCE mission to Ukraine would not come under shelling from those who were trapped in the area.

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Eastern Ukraine

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