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Contact Group to discuss ban on military drills near contact line in Donbass

The talks will also focus on the issues of marking the mined areas in the conflict zone

© AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky

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Kiev confirms three killed as minivan hits landmine at Ukrainian checkpoint in Donbass

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Contact Group on settlement in Ukraine will meet in Minsk on February 24 to discuss a possible ban on holding military drills in the security zone near the contact line in Donbass, the envoy of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic to the peace talks said on Friday.

"Indeed, such documents are prepared to be signed. The documents are related to security," Denis Pushilin said told the Donetsk news agency, adding that the talks will also focus on the issues of marking the mined areas in the conflict zone.

Pushilin reminded that last week a minivan hit an anti-tank mine in a buffer zone near Ukraine’s Novomikhailovka checkpoint to the west of Donetsk. Three people were killed and more than 10 others were wounded.

"That’s why there is a need here to determine the need for clearing certain areas of mines, this should be signed and agreed by both sides," the envoy said.

Ukraine’s mass media earlier reported citing sources that these issues could be discussed in the Belarusian capital next week.

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Ukraine crisis Eastern Ukraine Military drills

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