Denis Pushilin comments on results of Contact group’s videoconference

On January 26, a meeting via videoconference of the Contact group on the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Donbass was held. During the meeting, participants discussed the placement of Ukrainian positions near Donetsk filtration plant, which was confirmed by the Deputy Head of the OSCE SMM Alexander Hug.

“As part of a videoconference held today, the DPR has come out with a compromise proposal to support the previously signed document prohibiting the presence of any armed forces in a radius of 1.5 km from Donetsk filtration plant. Unfortunately, the Ukrainian side avoided not only the suggestion, but also the document, signed by the Ukrainian military in March 2016.

However, given the strategic importance of the DFP, which embraces of  about 400 000 subscribers, inhabitants on both sides of the demarcation line, and the threat of environmental disaster due to a leak of chlorine, contained in the plant, resulting in worsening of the military situation or AFU’s provocation, coordinator suggested continuing the discussion at the next meeting of the subgroup on safety,” the permanent plenipotentiary representative in the Contact group Denis Pushilin commented on the results of the meeting.