This is the first time we are hearing that weekly meetings in the Minsk format have been allegedly agreed, which Zelensky claimed during a political talk show. Such ideas have not been put forward or discussed by the Contact Group, DPR Foreign Minister Natalya Nikonorova stated.

“We emphasize once again: the Contact Group and working subgroups conduct meetings on a regular basis, according to the schedule drawn up during the course of the negotiation practice and it is really convenient: every two weeks. Given that the meetings are conducted via videoconference now, the negotiation process lasts three days for technical reasons. At the same time, the work in between the meetings is ongoing: the parties prepare and consider proposals and projects, share their positions via correspondence.

In addition, if necessary, we are ready to hold extraordinary videoconferences on urgent issues, if they bring concrete positive results and really prompt reconciliation in Donbass.

Kiev, unfortunately, is absolutely not interested in constructive work and fails to fulfill even those obligations that have been attested by representatives of the highest leadership of Ukraine personally. One of the vivid and most recent examples is the Record of the Contact Group’s meeting as of March 26, which we published. It clearly shows that almost every proposal we made Ukraine rejected, without providing any arguments or even a slightest attempt to discuss and negotiate them.

Thus, it is obvious that until Ukraine has a real will to fulfill the obligations under the Complex of Measures in a substantive and clear way, the statements about the need for more frequent meetings in the Minsk format are just a publicity move from Kiev, which will not lead to any serious progress.

We strongly recommend that the Ukrainian authorities not indulge in wishful thinking. Instead, it is better to finally step up to the only possible diplomatic way of conflict settlement, which is based on a direct, constructive and honest dialogue with representatives of the republics,” Natalya Nikonorova stated.