MOSCOW. Sept 12 (Interfax) - Moscow has not changed its approach toward the possible deployment of some peacekeeping missions in southeastern Ukraine to improve security there, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Asked by journalists why Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission not only along the disengagement line, Peskov replied," Vladimir Putin agreed that [UN] peacekeepers could be deployed [not only along the disengagement line in Donbas] but also in other locations where OSCE missions are present. And these locations are verified and stipulated in the relevant documents."
"Nobody dismissed the possibility of deploying some peacekeepers, some missions, and Putin himself said that the arming of members of OSCE missions with some weapons was discussed," he said.
"But since this [function] is not quite characteristic of this organization [the OSCE] and they don't have the necessary personnel, the necessary qualifications, and the relevant regulations, these discussions did not produce any result," he said.
"Nobody ruled out the possibility of some missions a priori," he said.
The possible deployment of UN peacekeepers in Donbas to ensure security of OSCE members "is a continuation of ongoing discussions," and the matter implies a search for compromises, he said.
"Russia has repeatedly demonstrated its consistent and flexible position based on the inviolability of the Minsk Agreements," Peskov said.
He was also asked whether the UN peacekeepers might have access to the border and whether Russia would propose that its servicemen be included in this mission.
"I can't tell you this, because no modalities have yet been determined. As concerns access to some areas, again, this is conditioned by the areas where the OSCE mission is working," Peskov said.