DONETSK. Feb 17 (Interfax) - The defense ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic insists that the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the line of contact proceed simultaneously with the Ukrainian forces.
"Heavy weaponry withdrawal must proceed simultaneously with the Ukrainian side. If the Ukrainian side does not pull out its heavy weapons, we will not, either. We will begin withdrawal from sectors where the situation is quiet and no shots are heard. But the withdrawal must be simultaneous," Donetsk republic militia spokesman Eduard Basurin told reporters.
He said a number of problems connected with the withdrawal must be solved. "One of them is the problem with the Donetsk airport, which is within the city limits. "Where can the weapons be removed to?" he said.
"By removing the weapons we will open the city, which Ukrainian forces will then be able to enter. We will not do that," Basurin said.
He also spoke about clashes in the area of Debaltseve. "Strikes are regularly launched in the area of Popasne. The same is happening north of Popasne and beyond, where the Debaltseve entrapment is. If weapons are removed they will break the entrapment," Basurin said.