MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, DPR's Alexander Zakharchenko proposed a three-year transition period toward a new state called Malorossiya ("Little Russia") as a way to settle the conflict. Noting that discussions within the DPR had "come to the conclusion that Ukraine has shown itself as a failed state," he called on the international community to support his proposal.
"This initiative doesn't fit in the Minsk process. I perceive this only as an invitation to a discussion, this statement has no constitutive consequences," Gryzlov told reporters.
He attributed Zakharchenko’s proposal to establish a three-year transition period toward the new state to "information warfare" which "is not a subject of realpolitik."
"I see this as a response to Kiev's high-ranking politicians' statements that are often absolutely unacceptable," the Russian envoy stressed.
Following DPR's announcement, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko vowed to restore sovereignty over Donbass.
Germany and France condemned the move with Berlin calling the proposal "absolutely unacceptable" and Paris urging Russia to condemn the DPR's decision.
