Kyiv is ready to talk with the representatives of Donbas and those whom the region public will elect during legitimate elections but not with field commanders, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vadym Prystaiko has said.
"We understand that in the current situation there is a need "to sew" Ukraine, from which our neighbors tear off pieces, and we are ready for a compromise, take into account the opinion of the local population in these regions. But we cannot and will not talk to field commanders. There are elections for this purpose and whoever is elected [even Plotnytsky or anyone else legitimately elected] he will represent the region and participate in the further political process. It's not fair to shove some Russian citizens or mercenaries and make them the leaders of Donetsk and Luhansk," the official said.
According to him, elections in the controlled territories of the DPR and LPR can be held only after the removal of weapons and troops, and this fact should be recorded by the OSCE.
"We cannot hold elections when an unknown quantity of foreign armed groups and just some clowns are in the region. Who will take part in the elections - the Don Cossacks?" the diplomat said.
