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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Kremlin: Kiev’s attempts to regain control over Donetsk airport contradict Minsk accords

On Monday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that the Donetsk airport, controlled by the militia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), will be recaptured

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko (left) seen at a National Guard training center, April 2015 Nikolay Lazarenko/Ukrainian president's press service/TASS

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko (left) seen at a National Guard training center, April 2015

© Nikolay Lazarenko/Ukrainian president's press service/TASS

SOCHI, May 12. /TASS/. Kiev’s plans to recapture Donetsk airport from militia forces contradict the Minsk agreements, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

"They do, of course," Peskov said, answering a question on whether Kiev’s attempts to regain control over the Donetsk airport violate the Minsk accords. "We have repeatedly stated that the Ukrainian side does not fulfill the points of the Minsk agreements," the spokesman noted.

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On Monday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that the Donetsk airport, controlled by the militia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), will be recaptured. "I do not doubt that we will free the airport because it is our land. And we will restore the airport," Poroshenko said.

Kiev forces controlled Donetsk airport terminals for several months, shelling the city’s suburbs from their positions. In January, DPR authorities said that the self-defense forces had regained full control over the airport. Ukrainian forces made several attempts to recapture their positions. DPR defense ministry said around 600 Ukrainian military were killed or injured during the armed stand-off around the airport.

Ceasefire is one of the key point of the Minsk agreements on the Ukrainian settlement. Other points include heavy weaponry withdrawal, prisoner exchange, local elections in Donbas and a constitutional reform in Ukraine.

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Foreign policy Eastern Ukraine Dmitry Peskov

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US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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Top Russian security official meets with counterparts at international security meeting

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Dust from Sahara turns rain in Ukraine yellow

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Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe add a quarter in winter — IEA

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Russia’s new Supreme Court chief justice doesn’t plan drastic changes

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Top Russian, Iranian security officials discuss Middle East

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Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 22nd

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