Moscow -- The leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics (DPR and LPR) are interested in the Minsk format of negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, DPR Supreme Council speaker Andriy Purhin said.
“The Minsk contact group format is the only and the most convenient for us both in terms of its venue and productivity. Concerning Geneva, the sanctions imposed on us prevent us physically from taking part in this format. Therefore, our point of view cannot be fully presented there,” Purhin said.
LPR Popular Council speaker Oleksiy Kariakin has also spoken in favor of the Minsk negotiating format.
“This format is the most convenient one. It stands to reason that Minsk has been chosen: this is a city convenient for all parties for dialogue, and I don’t see much sense in going to Geneva. However, we would like Ukraine to be represented at the negotiations by officials,” Kariakin told Interfax.
