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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Poroshenko not going to lift Donbas blockade until border is under Kiev's control

Poroshenko said that the level of economic ties with Donbas "will remain at the current level until tangible progress in Minsk agreements’ implementation is observed"

Volunteers distributing bread for local citizens in Donetsk EPA/ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO

Volunteers distributing bread for local citizens in Donetsk

© EPA/ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO

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MOSCOW, June 4. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Thursday it is impossible to restore economic and social ties with the Donbas areas in the southeast of Ukraine that are beyond Kiev’s control until the border with Russia is taken under control.

"We are ready already today to restore all economic ties with the temporarily occupied areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, remove all internal barriers and restrictions on the way of people and goods, but on the condition that we restore control over the external border," Poroshenko told members of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament). "Otherwise, no complaints are valid. So far we can agree at the most to Ukrainian humanitarian cargoes and pensions, paid to those who have registered in the territory free from terrorists."

Poroshenko said that "the level of economic ties [with Donbas] will remain at the current level until tangible progress in Minsk agreements’ implementation is observed."

He also said that not only Kiev authorities, but also foreign partners are ready to provide aid to Donbas "as an integral part of Ukraine".

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Eastern Ukraine Pyotr Poroshenko

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