Statement of the MFA of Ukraine on the implementation of the Minsk agreements

Verkhovna Rada’s of Ukraine approval of the resolution on the definition of selected districts, cities, towns and villages in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions where a special procedure for local self-government is introduced, is a demonstration of Ukraine’s dedication to Minsk agreements and the logic of the peace process.

Today's decisions of the Ukrainian Parliament pave the way to free and fair elections in selected areas of Donetsk and Lugansk regions in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and with strict adherence to the OSCE standards for democratic elections monitored by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Positively assessed by ODIHR OSCE elections held in compliance with these requirements is the fundamental idea of the Minsk agreements and integral part of stabilization process of the situation in Ukrainian Donbas.

Please be reminded that the electoral farce on November 2, 2014 in Donbas which was not recognized by the international community including the Russian Federation has disrupted the implementation of the Minsk agreements signed on September 5 and 19, 2014 and made impossible further development of the peace process. Instead of that any attempts of Russia backed leaders to legitimize illegal formations in Donbas which were created after November 2, 2014, were undermined by Verkhovna Rada’s of Ukraine approval of  amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On a Special Order of Local Government in Certain Regions of Donetsk and Lugansk Areas”

Along with the entire international community we hope that the Russian Federation will use this opportunity to abandon the path of aggression and terrorism and come back on the rails of peaceful settlement. We expect the Kremlin authorities not to impede the democratic will expression and to avoid any provocations.

For its part, Ukraine will continue to follow relentlessly the spirit and provisions of the agreements signed in Minsk on September 2014 and February 2015 to bring back peace and stability to Ukrainian Donbass.