Donetsk, June 23 (Navigator, Mikhail Shalyapin) – Today in Donetsk, probably the most important event of recent days took place. Multilateral consultations were held in the building of the Donetsk Regional State Administration to find solutions for a peaceful resolution of the current crisis situation.
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The negotiations were attended by the Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov, the second President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, the head of the public organization “Ukrainian Choice” Viktor Medvedchuk, as well as the Prime Minister of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” Alexander Boroday, the leader of the “South-East” movement Oleg Tsarev and representatives of the "Luhansk People's Republic". Also present at the meeting was the special representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Heidi Tagliavini.
Immediately before the start of the negotiations, enhanced security measures were taken near the Regional State Administration. They were carried out by the forces of the Vostok battalion, the Falcon special unit, the RPA detachment and police units.
During the negotiations themselves, a picket lined up in front of the administration building with protesters against military action.
The conference itself was held behind closed doors, and journalists, after a long wait, were allowed in for a final but very short briefing.
DPR Prime Minister Alexander Borodai was the first to draw the line at today's negotiations.
According to him, in the event of a ceasefire, “we will be able to agree and move on, at least to begin consultations on negotiating a peaceful settlement of the conflict.”
“In response to the ceasefire from Kyiv, we undertake to cease fire until June 27. The movement of troops on the territory of the republics also stops, as does the use of fire - a regime of silence is introduced,” Borodai said. In addition, he said that the Russian Federation will monitor compliance with this regime.
Then Leonid Danilovich took the floor. “We have agreed on a bilateral ceasefire until 10 am on June 27,” Kuchma said briefly.
In turn, the OSCE representative present at the meeting said that “the OSCE contributes to the peaceful resolution of the conflict, but we must be sure that our mission will be safe.”
Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov noted that this is still a working meeting at which a variety of options are discussed and mutual claims are expressed, so there is no point in waiting for specifics on it to be made public.
“We expect that in the near future the position of the representatives of Donetsk and Lugansk will be further developed, and they will tell us their readiness to continue consultations in order to solve two problems: the first is the achievement of a sustainable truce and sustainable peace, and the second is the launch inclusive negotiation process,” the ambassador said.
Oleg Tsarev said that the negotiation process will continue. “We suggested that representatives of Ukraine hold the next negotiations in the city of Slavyansk,” he told reporters, adding that the South-East is ready for any negotiations, but until today the position of official Kyiv did not provide any opportunity for them.
At this point the press conference was over, and the parties began to leave the building.
However, the meeting was not without a scandalous incident.
Immediately upon leaving the territory of the Regional State Administration, the motorcade with the meeting participants was stopped by indignant picketers. The cars containing Kuchma, Shufricha, Medvedchuk, as well as the car of the Russian ambassador and the OSCE representative were surrounded.
