On November 23, 2016, took place a meeting of the political group to resolve the situation in Donbass. The negotiations were attended by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPR, Natalia Nikonorova. 

‘The basis of the discussion at the meeting of November 23 was supposed to be a formula Steinmeier, as the only possible compromise for the entry mechanism of the Law on the special status of Donbass, which, in its turn, is the basis for the implementation of all the political claims of the Complex of measures. Taking into account that the agenda of the meeting of the political group had been approved directly by the Contact Group on November 9, the Ukrainian side has actually disrupted the discussion. This fact also demonstrates the lack of coordination between representatives of Ukraine in the Contact group and in the group for political affairs.

Unfortunately, we can not note the positive results of the today’s meeting. Ukraine refuses to discuss this formula prior to harmonizing the road map in the «Norman format». Such a position is contrary to the Complex of measures that negates the need for coordination of policy issues with the representatives of the Republics, which are not a part of the «Norman format». The Ukrainian negotiators insisted on the theoretical arguments for amnesty and the invitation an expert for it, not having [presented to this day any written document with their official position. We once again clearly indicated our readiness to work on practical aspects of the project to implement Steinmeier’s formula and expect the same from Ukraine,’ said Natalia Nikonorova on the outcome of the meeting of the group on political issues.

The next meeting of the group on political issues will be held on December 7, 2016.