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Kiev authorities stalling the start of political process in Ukraine — Russian diplomat

Moscow is concerned that the issue of the start of political process is being stalled, and social and economic situation is deteriorating, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin says

BERLIN, March 6./TASS/. The Kiev authorities are dragging feet on the issue of the start of political process in Ukraine, progress should be quicker, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said after a meeting of "Normandy Four" (Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine ) deputy foreign ministers.

"The Ukrainian authorities often fail to implement what was agreed upon in Minsk," the diplomat said. "We are concerned that the issue of the start of political process is being stalled, and social and economic situation is deteriorating".

Karasin called the talks in Berlin difficult but constructive.

"On the whole, the meeting has been difficult but constructive," he said. "It was difficult as assessments of the Ukraine crisis were diversified — from positive to sharply negative."

Discussions related to regaining control by Ukraine over the section of the Russian-Ukrainian border which is not controlled by Kiev can be started after the beginning of a process of political settlement, deputy foreign minister Grigory Karasin said.

Conditions are "quite understandable" for regaining control over the border, Karasin noted. "They are linked to the political process, to holding local elections and to peaceful settlement in Ukraine."