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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Donetsk republic leader accuses Kiev of failing to honor Minsk deal

According to Alexander Zakharchenko, there's no constitutional reform, the economic blockade has not been lifted, the banking system has not been restored, pensions and social payments are not paid

Militia leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic Alexander Zakharchenko seen durinsg a press conference Valery Sharifulin/TASS

Militia leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic Alexander Zakharchenko seen durinsg a press conference

© Valery Sharifulin/TASS

MOSCOW, May 6. /TASS/. The Ukrainian authorities have failed to implement the agreements reached in Minsk, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Zakharchenko told a press briefing on Wednesday.

"The economic blockade has not been lifted, the banking system has not been restored, pensions and social payments are not paid," he said. "There is no constitutional reform, even though Ukraine says that something is being done."

Zakharchenko noted that the Package of Measures adopted on February 12 envisages that all issues relating to local elections must be coordinated with representatives of separate districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "But no one coordinates anything with us. The Minsk agreements are thus violated. They remain on paper 100%," the head of the self-proclaimed republic said.

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He added that, "according to DPR intelligence data, the Ukrainian law enforces would begin provocations as early as May 8." Several groups will be sent to the republic to carry out terrorist attacks, according to Zakharchenko, the Donetsk news agency reports.

The Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements adopted on February 12 by the members of the Contact Group on Ukraine obliges the parties not only to ensure the ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the release of prisoners and amnesty for all participants in the conflict in the Donbas region.

In accordance with it, Kiev must restore economic ties with the region and ensure its socio-economic development, carry out a comprehensive settlement before the end of this year, including the constitutional reform and entry into force of the new Constitution, the adoption of the permanent legislation on a special status for separate regions of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and holding local elections in the region.

"The issues pertaining to holding local elections will be discussed and coordinated with representatives of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions within the framework of the Trilateral Contact Group," the document says.

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