Ukraine negotiations to be held in Minsk today

The meeting of four subgroups and the Trilateral Contact group on the settlement of the conflict in Donets Basin is appointed for today. Ukrainian representative Leonid Kuchma, Russian representative Azamat Kulmukhametov and OSCE representative Martin Sajdik will take part in the work of the contact group.

Ukraine presented two suggestions prepared by the General Staff to Russia – on the creation of a safety zone in the village of Shirokina near Mariupol and removal of heavy artillery, tanks and grenade launchers. Both sides should pull out their artillery to the distance of 15 km away from the area.

The Trilateral Contact group met in Minsk on June 23 last time. The three subgroups also gathered to discuss humanitarian issues.

Photo: REUTERS