RIA Novosti: Lavrov: Russia Ready to Explain Provisions of Putin’s Plan on Ukraine in Details

MOSCOW, September 4 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow is ready to explain and clarify the provisions of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s seven-point plan on Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.

“We, as a country that in cooperation with OSCE officials has been trying to launch a substantive and meaningful dialogue between Kiev and southeastern Ukraine, have put forward a plan of seven provisions that had been announced by Vladimir Putin,” Lavrov said.

“We are ready to explain and detail the contents of these seven provisions, but, most importantly, we would like to hear the reaction to these proposals by the main sides of the conflict – the Kiev government and southeastern Ukraine,” he went on.

The Russian Foreign Minister added that Moscow will “undoubtedly be ready to hear any additional suggestions by the Contact Group participants, in hope that a common stance will be achieved as a result.”

On Wednesday, Putin outlined a seven-point plan for the settlement of the crisis in Ukraine, calling on Kiev to withdraw troops from southeastern regions of the country and militia to cease military advances. The plan also includes proposals for an international monitoring force, the establishment of a humanitarian corridor, a ban on the use of combat aircraft over urban areas, an exchange of prisoners in an “all for all” formula and direct repair-crew access to destroyed infrastructure in the war-ravaged areas.

The Russian leader expressed hope that a final agreement between Kiev and the country’s militants would be reached at the coming meeting of the so-called Contact Group on September 5.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov underlined that Putin’s reconciliation plan for Ukraine is “not dogmatic” and will not be imposed on anyone, and that “attaining the final goal is what really matters.”