President: Political settlement of situation in Donbas is possible only after implementation of security items of Minsk agreements

President Petro Poroshenko emphasizes that there is no alternative to the return of Ukrainian sovereignty in Donbas and restoration of territorial integrity of Ukraine. However, the beginning of political settlement of the situation in Donetsk and Luhansk region is possible only after the implementation of all security items of the Minsk agreements by pro-Russian militants.

“Political settlement can be started only when security criteria are ensured. We cannot allow legitimization of Russian occupation through the mechanism of pseudo elections similar to the Crimean pseudo referendum or pseudo elections of November 2, 2014. We will not allow that,” the Head of State said in the interview with Ukrainian TV channels.

“It is the main part of the Minsk agreements - constant ceasefire and security criteria that must be complied with not only on the touch line, but also at the entire occupied territory,” Petro Poroshenko added.

According to the President, this position is also supported by Ukraine’s partners in the Normandy format and the United States.

According to the President, current OSCE SMM cannot ensure the fulfillment of the abovementioned items. Shelling is continued and the Mission cannot always record these violations of the Minsk agreements.

“For they are unarmed. They can only record the fact of shelling, but they cannot always identify the side responsible for that. Thus, we must introduce a new special police mission that will ensure the security conditions,” Petro Poroshenko emphasized.

“The OSCE mission should also deploy permanent armed checkpoints in the areas of withdrawal of heavy weaponry and in the uncontrolled area of the Ukraine-Russia border in order to prevent the supply of Russian weaponry to the militants,” the Head of State said.

“Thus, the activity of the police armed mission will be divided into three phases. First - security component. Second - preparation and holding of elections. Third - conveying power to newly elected representatives of the Ukrainian Donbas,” the President noted.

“After the completion of this process, the function of the Mission will be fulfilled,” Petro Poroshenko said.

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