Luhansk Republic leader confirms agreement with Kiev to observe ceasefire
The question of ending insane bloodshed is of fundamental importance to the self-proclaimed republic, says its leader
LUHANSK, December 1. /TASS/. The head of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic, Igor Plotnitsky, has confirmed the OSCE observers’ report the Luhansk Republic and Kiev have agreed on the strict observance of the ceasefire agreement and pullout of heavy armaments from the disengagement line.
“Ukraine has expressed the wish to hold more talks. We supported this intention, because the question of ending insane bloodshed is of fundamental importance to us. We have agreed that starting December 5 we are introducing full ceasefire and pulling out heavy armaments as of December 6,” Plotnitsky said.
“We'll keep our word. Let's see if Ukraine acts likewise,” Plotnitsky said, adding that the disengagement line remained unchanged.
Last Saturday, November 29, the self-roclaimed Luhansk Republic’s acting defense minister Oleg Bugrov told the media that in the near future the leaders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk republics would declare conclusion of agreements with Kiev on strict observance of the ceasefire regime in Donbass. The agreement emerged from consultations within the framework of the joint center for control and coordination of ceasefire, held in Luhansk on November 29. He added, though, that drawing the borders of the self-proclaimed republics is not on the agenda yet.
The Joint Center on Control and Coordination agreed on a draft timetable for the pullout of troops from the conflict area in the east of Ukraine. The three-phase plan provides for a two-day ceasefire, the removal of heavy armaments within a five-day deadline and the disengagement of the conflicting forces along the line drawn up under the Minsk memorandum within 21 days.