"Verkhovna Rada [Ukrainian parliament] adopts amendments to the law on the special status of Donbass, which are absolutely contrary to the package of measures for a peaceful settlement. These amendments make it impossible to hold elections on the territory of DPR."
The 13-point peace agreement signed by sides to Ukraine conflict in Minsk, Belarus, in February contains a range of steps that both Kiev and Donbass forces need to take to deescalate a year-long conflict, including a February 15 ceasefire agreement and heavy weaponry withdrawal from the line of contact.
The authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic consider the increased shelling by Kiev forces an attempt to disrupt a new round of reconciliation talks in Minsk.
"We do not exclude that it [shelling] is a provocation to disrupt the meeting in Minsk that can speed up the peaceful settlement of the [Donbass] conflict. If the meeting does not take place, the peace process will be jeopardized. Someone benefits from continuing to provoke attacks or shelling against us."
On Saturday, independence supporters in eastern Ukraine said that Kiev forces had shelled Donetsk airport and nearby residential areas.
On Sunday, DPR authorities said that seven civilians had been killed as a result of Kiev's shelling over past 24 hours.
