Ukraine's Donbas re-integration law not violates Minsk accords: U.S. envoy

KIEV, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The law on the re-integration of the insurgent-controlled Donbas region in eastern Ukraine into Kiev's sovereignty does not violate the Minsk peace deals, a U.S. envoy said.

"The fact that the law makes no mention of the Minsk does not mean that it opposes the Minsk," U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker told RFE/RL media outlet late Wednesday.

Volker said the law formalizes the rights of Ukrainian citizens living in Donbas and regulates the format of military operations against pro-independence rebels.

Last week, the Ukrainian parliament passed a law on Donbas re-integration. It defines the areas controlled by the rebels as "temporarily occupied territories," but its final text has not been published by the Ukrainian parliament yet.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the law is "preparations for a new war" and accused Kiev of violating the Minsk deals designed to peacefully end the conflict in Donbas.

The conflict in Ukraine's eastern Lugansk and Donetsk regions -- together known as Donbas -- started in April 2014 after government forces launched offensives to regain control of the cities and towns seized by armed groups which declared independence from Kiev.

Ukraine has long accused Russia of aiding the insurgents and sending troops to areas in Donbas. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed Kiev's claims, saying that Ukraine has offered no evidence of Russia's alleged involvement in the conflict.

The Minsk agreements, reached first in September 2014 before collapse and the second time in February 2015, envisage a ceasefire, a withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the contact line, a prisoner exchange and local elections, among other measures.

Volker arrived in Ukraine for a visit on Tuesday. On Friday, the U.S. envoy is set to meet his Russian counterpart Vladislav Surkov to discuss how to end the conflict. Enditem