No talks with Donbas republics on peacekeepers, no Russians among peacekeepers
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said there can be no talks with the leaders of the self-proclaimed republics of Luhansk and Donetsk about deploying a UN peacekeeping mission to Donbas, and there can be no Russian citizens among UN peacekeepers if a mission is deployed.
"There can be no talk about receiving permission for a UN peacekeeping mission from the illegal armed formations action in Donbas, as they are supported, financed and supplied from Russia," a statement by the foreign ministry said, referring to comments made on Tuesday by the Russian leader.
The statement said comments made by the Russian president show another by Russia, a party to the conflict, to present the aggression in Donbas an internal Ukrainian conflict, and to distort the idea and goals of deploying a peacekeeping mission, which would not fulfill the main objective – the establishment of a lasting peace in Donbas and restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity.
The statement stressed that Russia's unwavering adherence to pledges for a complete ceasefire announced at the end of August at the start of the school year should be the basis for the start of a dialogue with the aim of deploying a UN peacekeeping mission to Donbas.