Russia ready to discuss peacekeeping mission in Donbass

Moscow is ready to discuss sending peacekeepers to Donbass in next "Normandy format" meeting with envoys from Ukraine, Germany and France, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.

"We are ready to listen to suggestions of our Ukrainian colleagues when we meet again next time in the 'Normandy format'," Lavrov said.

Meanwhile, the minister pointed out that the idea of international peacekeeping mission, as well as the constitutional reform in Ukraine, should be discussed with Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

"In any case, it is impossible to carry out (the peacekeeping mission) without the participation of or without taking into account the opinion of Lugansk and Donetsk," Tass news agency quoted Lavrov as saying.

"The constitutional reform, including the provision on the special status of Donbass, should be carried out in coordination with Donetsk and Lugansk," the minister added.

Lavrov reiterated that the "Normandy Four" will supervise the fulfillment of the Minsk accords, criticizing Kiev's amendments to the special status law as "direct contradiction of its commitments. "

A law approved in mid-March by the Ukrainian parliament set new conditions for eastern regions to assume special status, while Kiev decided on the same day to send official pleas to the UN and the EU to deploy peacekeeping and security missions in Lugansk and Donetsk regions.

Those actions triggered fears that an uncertain cease-fire in the eastern Ukraine could collapse, as new "war of words" and armed conflicts have already begun. Endite