Interfax: Separatist leader in Ukraine sets out terms for peace talks

(Interfax – August 10, 2014) A senior figure in the Donetsk people’s republic has set out terms for a cease-fire with Ukraine, which Kiev has rejected, Interfax news agency reported on 10 August.

“The main condition for a cease-fire is the Ukrainian army doing exactly the same. A cease-fire has to be reciprocal,” the self-proclaimed republic’s prime minister, Aleksandr (Oleksandr) Zakharchenko told the agency. “We are always ready for a temporary truce to prevent the humanitarian catastrophe that has already struck Donbass from getting worse.”

The terms for talks on a permanent settlement are, he said, “complete withdrawal by the Ukrainian army from the Donetsk people’s republic and participation in negotiations by officials from Ukraine”. At the same time, “do not confuse a temporary cease-fire and negotiations … In the past there have only been informal consultations with a kind of contact group with no official status and the cease-fire agreement wasn’t observed by the Ukraini! ans. No negotiating has taken or is taking place. As long as the Ukrainian army continues combat operations there cannot be a cease-fire and the republic will continue to fight.”

Ukraine’s Security and Defence Council has dismissed talk of a cease-fire by the separatists as all words and no action, Interfax added. According to a spokesman, “if they want it they have to show it with deeds and not just words: raise the white flag and put down their weapons, then nobody will shoot at them.”