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Kiev not ready to start political settlement in Ukraine’s east — Russian OSCE envoy

After completing weaponry withdrawal Kiev should be ready to act in accordance with the Minsk agreements and launch political process on determining formats for holding local elections, Kelin says

VIENNA, March 11. /TASS/. Russia does not see Kiev’s readiness for launching the process of political settlement of the situation in Ukraine’s east, Russia’s Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Andrey Kelin said on Wednesday.

"After completing [weaponry] withdrawal, which will happen by March 14, the Ukrainian side should be ready to act in accordance with the Minsk agreements and launch political process on determining formats for holding local elections," Kelin said.

According to Andrey Kelin, a buffer zone in eastern Ukraine would be divided into six sectors which would be monitored by OSCE officials.

The OSCE is holding talks with Schiebel, a Vienna-based UAV maker, on the lease of additional vehicle for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Russia's envoy went on to say.

Andrey Kelin told TASS that the number of UAVs used by the SMM could be doubled or tripled.