Kravchuk protests because of threat of Russia's withdrawal from ceasefire in Donbas

Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Leonid Kravchuk has declared a protest against the information released by the militants regarding "permission to conduct preemptive fire" at a meeting of the group today. This was reported on the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian delegation of the TCG.

"Head of the Ukrainian delegation Kravchuk, protested against the message posted by the Internet resource of the so-called "people's militia of the DNR" about "…obtaining permission to conduct preemptive fire to suppress the enemy firing points". The position of the head of the Ukrainian delegation: we regard this statement as threat of the unilateral withdrawal of the Russian party from the ceasefire and threat of the implementation of the Minsk agreements", - the message says.

It is noted that consultations are ongoing.

In addition, the TCG recalled that President of the European Council Charles Michel stated at a press conference on March 2: "Unfortunately, Russia has not responded to Ukraine's positive steps to implement the Minsk agreements. Therefore, our economic sanctions against Russia will remain in force. Russia is a party to the conflict, not a mediator. We expect Russia to ensure full access of the OSCE SMM to areas of Ukraine not controlled by the government. The COVID-19 pandemic should not be a reason for further exclusion of these regions from Ukraine. We also urge Russia to return to the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination".

As previously reported, occupation authorities of the so-called "DNR" allowed their armed gangs to open "preemptive" fire on Ukrainian positions.