MOSCOW, October 28 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow hopes that Ukrainian authorities will adopt a pragmatic and non-aggressive approach in dealing with the issue of the status of the self-proclaimed people's republics, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"One can hope, and that's what we're doing – we are hoping for a thoughtful, pragmatic, non-aggressive approach," Lavov said in an interview with the Life News TV channel and the Izvestia newspaper, answering a question on whether or not an effective and fast decision can be expected from the Ukrainian authorities on the issues of the status of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR).
A military confrontation in the southeast of Ukraine started in mid-April, when the Kiev government sent forces to suppress independence supporters who refused to recognize the government that came to power after a coup in February.
On September 5, the trilateral Contact Group consisting of representatives from Russia, Ukraine, the DPR and the LPR and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) met in Minsk to discuss the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. The meeting resulted in ceasefire deal between the Ukrainian government and independence supporters. In addition, Ukraine agreed to adopt a law on granting special status to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and ensuring early elections of the heads of the self-proclaimed republics.
The leaders of the DPR and the LPR have laid claim to the whole territory within the borders of the respective administrative entities in Ukraine and want full independence. Both self-proclaimed republics have set elections of regional leaders and legislative bodies for November 2.
