RIA Novosti: OSCE Observers, Federalist Leaders to Meet in Ukraine’s Donetsk – Source

DONETSK, April 22 (RIA Novosti) – The leaders of pro-federalization protesters in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk will meet with representatives from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Tuesday, a source from the federalist camp told RIA Novosti.

The meeting is scheduled for 2:00 pm local time (11:00 GMT) in the Viktoria Hotel in Donetsk, the source said. According to preliminary information, representatives from Kiev may also participate.

A special OSCE mission has deployed its observers to monitor the implementation of the April 17 de-escalation deal reached by Russia, Ukraine, the US and EU last week in Geneva.

On Monday, the OSCE monitors met with the leaders of self-defense forces in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk, an aide to the local “acting mayor,” Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, said.

Federalization supporters in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Horlivka, Slaviansk and Kramatorsk have refused to recognize the legitimacy of the current Ukrainian government and are urging interim authorities to hold referendums similar to the one held in Crimea last month, which led to the republic’s reunification with Russia.

Ukrainian authorities launched a special operation to crack down on the protests, involving military forces. Moscow denounced the decision as dangerous and disproportionate.