U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has said he discussed with Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov an initiative to deploy a UN peacekeeping mission to Donbas during the last few weeks.

I talked with Surkov on this issue during the past few weeks. I believe that this is the most practical way to facilitate the implementation of the Minsk agreements, he said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Current Time program.

Volker said peacekeepers will be able to provide security and create conditions for free movement and peace, after which it will be possible to implement the Minsk agreements.

We offered it. Ukraine and the Normandy Four support it, as well as NATO, Canada and Great Britain. Only Russia blocks it, Volker said, adding that the United States would like Russia to take the decision to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine and restore peace.