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Russian senator: Decision to hold elections in Donbass to depend on Kiev’s actions

It is evident that the step will not be made without pressure from Germany and France, he assumed

MOSCOW, October 3. /TASS/. The decision on holding local elections in Donbass will depend on Kiev’s actions, a senior Russian senator said commenting on Normandy Four leaders’ talks in Paris.

"Everyone realizes that the decision on holding local elections in Donbass to a considerable extent depends on Kiev’s actions," first deputy chairman of the Federation Council’s defense and security committee, Frants Klintsevich, said.

"At this stage, it should agree with representatives of the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics amendments to Ukraine’s Constitution, put into effect the laws on the special status of Donbass, on amnesty," Klintsevich said.

It is evident that the step will not be made without pressure from Germany and France, he assumed. "On them lies responsibility for development of the Minsk process," he said.

The leaders of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine on Friday held talks in Paris in the Normandy format. According to Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the talks were "intense and businesslike."

He said the leaders discussed the course of implementation of the Minsk Agreements, including withdrawal of armaments, elections, amnesty, gas issues and other crises, including air services. The Kremlin spokesman confirmed that the sides held constructive talks and confirmed that the Minsk deals have no alternative.

Peskov also reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to give instructions to discuss elections issues with official representatives of the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics.