Minsk - Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov believes the fact that the contact line between the conflict parties was determined by the contract group in Minsk is an achievement of the past negotiations.
“The contact group has determined the contact line of the conflict parties. That made it possible to agree on the removal of the heavy equipment,” Zurabov told reporters after the talks.
Zurabov reiterated that the agreements reached in the early hours of Saturday, Sept. 20 “will begin to be fulfilled in 24 hours.”
Zurabov reiterated that “the de-escalation of the conflict has begun” thanks to the protocol adopted on Sept. 5.
“The number of clashes has gone down by 70 percent and the irreparable and sanitary losses have decreased considerably. The previous agreements didn’t work fully because there was no clear mechanism and conditions for a ceasefire,” he said.
Zurabov said the preparations for today’s negotiations took more than ten days.
“Most of the time during the preparations for today’s meeting was used to determine the line of contact between the conflict parties,” he said.
“We talked about the humanitarian situation and humanitarian assistance and the work done on the people who are held. We are working on the lists. Over 120 people have been exchanged since Sept. 5,” Zurabov said.
