MOSCOW. April 3 (Interfax) - Russia is hoping that the political phase of the Ukrainian crisis settlement will begin in mid April, Russian envoy to the OSCE Andrei Kelin said.
"Now we have an important moment in this settlement: it's time to begin its political phase. We are really hoping that this work will begin in the nearest future, in mid April, when sub-groups on political, military, and social issues and on issues relating to the return of refugees and internally displaced persons will be formed in the contact group," he said on a Moscow-Vienna televised video link.
Kelin also said he is hoping that Kyiv will begin direct dialogue with the DPR and the LPR. "Nothing will work without direct dialogue," he said.
At the same time, Kelin said: "The unwillingness Kiev is now apparently demonstrating to have direct contact with the local leaders only shows that there is no serious intention to find a political settlement there."