Kremlin: Normandy Format talks on Donbas not possible after Zakharchenko's assassination
During a press conference at Putin’s residence in Bocharov Creek in Sochi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that there could be no discussion about holding future meetings in the Normandy format, because of the murder of the head of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Alexander Zakharchenko.
According to Lavrov, Zakharchenko’s murder is aimed at disrupting implementation of the Minsk agreements. He also said that Kyiv did not do its part in fulfilling the Minsk agreements.
After the death of Zakharchenko, according to the Russian Foreign Minister, the Kremlin won’t even consider the possibility of holding negotiations in the “Normandy format,” even though their European partners have such a desire.
Lavrov labeled the current situation as very serious. According to him, currently, the leadership of the Russian Federation is conducting an analysis of the situation.
Earlier, the head of the Russian foreign ministry stated that a new meeting in the “Normandy format” may take place after deployment of troops in the Donbass in the area of three populated areas.
The head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko was killed in his own restaurant, which was controlled by his guards. He was there at a wake of the recently deceased Russian singer and political figure Joseph Kobzon.
Putin also reacted to the assasination of the militant leader. According to the Russian president, those who choose the path of terror, do not want to have a dialogue with those living in the Donbass, and instead, want to bring it to its knees.