MOSCOW. Oct 31 (Interfax) - Moscow is looking to achieve disengagement of the opposing sides on the entire contact line in eastern Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"We are moving in the right direction, but, firstly, we need to complete all these actions - disengagement -, but that's only three small populated areas. We want to achieve disengagement on the entire contact line and, of course, stop ceasefire violations," Lavrov said at a briefing following his meeting with OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger on Thursday.
Lavrov said an agreement on disengagement on the three "pilot" sites, in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, had been reached over three years ago at the Normandy Four summit in Berlin. "Since then, the impression was created under the Poroshenko regime that he did not want disengagement but to manipulate the global community, and he found various reasons that postponed even the beginning of the first steps. The situation really changed with Zelensky's arrival," the minister said.
Lavrov said Moscow fully agrees with Zelensky, who earlier said that progress in disengagement in the three "pilot" populated areas will make it possible to hold the Normandy-format summit with the prospect of security on the contact line.
"That is our position and we fully share such words. The disengagement in Stanytsia Luhanska has happened, although it didn't happen straight away and was difficult. Disengagement has begun in Zolote. Indeed, so-called national volunteer battalions, where ultra-radicals have gathered, say they are not going to leave anywhere and will not let the Ukrainian Armed Forces go," Lavrov said.
"But we hope that President Zelensky as supreme commander-in-chief will ensure the fulfilment of his orders," the minister said.
Greminger, in turn, said the OSCE sees some progress in the disengagement in eastern Ukraine. It will not happen automatically and the political will of all participants is needed, he said. But it is taking place and the OSCE had been waiting for this step for three years, he said, adding that the current events are hopeful.
The OSCE can now see progress; it is difficult, but feasible, Greminger said.