Updated 10:38 am MSK
MOSCOW, September 7 (RIA Novosti) – The consent given by Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR, DPR) to the adoption of Kiev’s law on the special status does not rule out independence, but means the republics are ready for compromise, LPR head Igor Plotnitsky told RIA Novosti over the phone.
"The law on the special status does not mean abandoning the idea of independence for the LPR and DPR. But we understand that in order to restore peace and security, economic and social ties, we have to make compromises, and, when necessary – to bring ourselves closer to the Ukrainian society. The law on the special status will confirm Kiev’s course for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. We do not reject this dialogue, but it must be equitable and inclusive," Plotnitsky said.
Protocol on the results of consultations of the Trilateral Contact Group signed in Minsk on Friday and published on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) website entails Ukraine adopt the law on special status for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in addition to holding early elections.
Ukraine has been engulfed in violent internal conflict since mid-April, when Kiev began its military operation against independence supporters in the southeastern regions of the country. According to United Nations’ estimates, over 2,500 people have been killed and more than 6,000 wounded since the start of the offensive.
