MOSCOW, October 11 (RIA Novosti) - The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) notes progress in the negotiations of the contact group on the implementation of the Minsk agreements and hopes for notable results next week, NSDC spokesperson Andriy Lysenko said Saturday.
"Intensive consultations are being conducted on the implementation of the Minsk agreements. The Ukrainian side is ready for implementation of the agreements on the pullout of heavy [military] equipment, as soon as the terrorists will cease fire," Lysenko said.
"There is overall progress. But next week we are waiting for serious results," he added.
An armed conflict in Ukraine’s South-East began in April when Kiev launched a military operation against independence supporters in the region. Almost 3,700 people have been killed and over 8,800 have been wounded since the start of the operation, according to a UN report published on Friday.
On September 5, the two conflicting sides agreed on a ceasefire during a meeting in Minsk of the trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine. Both sides have subsequently accused each other of violating the agreement.
Another meeting of the group held later in September resulted in a memorandum, specifying the implementation of the ceasefire. The document particularly includes a clause on the establishment of a 18-mile buffer zone between the Kiev forces and independence supporters.
