According to the Russian Satellite News Agency on January 29, Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian President, said that the problem of Donbas’s integration into Russia does not exist directly or indirectly.
The reporter asked Peskov: Under what conditions is Russia going to integrate Donbas into its territory?
Peskov said: “The issue of Donbas’s integration into Russia is not on the agenda, whether directly or indirectly.”
Peskov pointed out: “Russia is very responsible in assisting Ukraine in its efforts to solve its internal crisis.
Russia has a consistent and responsible position in protecting the interests of Russian-speaking Donbass and will continue to protect ethnic Russians.”
According to Xinhua News Agency, in April 2014, large-scale clashes between Ukrainian government forces and civilian forces broke out in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
After mediation by the international community, the two parties to the conflict reached a ceasefire agreement in Minsk in September 2014 and February 2015, respectively, defining the ceasefire line, but there are still major differences on issues such as withdrawal, the exchange of detainees and the local elections in Donbas.
Since the two parties to the conflict announced an indefinite comprehensive ceasefire in the Donbas area on July 27 this year, large-scale armed conflicts have been brought under control, but small-scale exchange of fire has occurred from time to time.
