Luhansk, June 7 (Interfax) - The leadership of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic is not inclined to hold negotiations with the newly-elected Ukrainian president, Petro Poroshenko, until he recognizes the region's independence, a spokesman for the self-proclaimed republic's government told Interfax.
“Our position remains unchanged. We won’t hold any negotiations with Poroshenko until he pulls the troops back and recognizes our independence,” he said.
Nothing will change in this position even if Poroshenko personally comes to Luhansk within the next few days, he said.
“Any negotiations are just out of the question, even if he comes here, unless our conditions are met,” he said.
Andriy Purhin, the first deputy prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, had told Interfax regarding possible negotiations with Poroshenko on Friday: “Negotiations with Petro Poroshenko are possible only regarding hostage swapping, the recognition of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic by Ukraine, and the termination of military activities on the territory of Novorussia.”
