The independence-seeking insurgents in eastern Ukraine have proposed Kiev seven new areas, where the conflicting sides could separate their forces, local media reported on Monday.

      According to a statement, published on the insurgent-run DAN news agency, five proposed sections of the frontline are located in Lugansk region and two are situated in Donetsk region.

      "We have proposed our areas and Ukraine should make its proposals in response. Out of the all offered sites, four areas will be chosen for the withdrawal of the forces," Vladislav Deinego, a Lugansk representative in the Contact Group on Ukraine'  s crisis, was quoted as saying by the agency.

      Last month, the Contact Group has signed a framework deal on separating the conflicting forces in eastern Ukraine on three clearly defined sections of the frontline.

      Both parties have already confirmed their withdrawal from Petrovske village in Donetsk region and Zolote town in Lugansk region, but the pullback in neighboring Stanytsya Luganska village has not been completed yet due to the reported ceasefire violations in the area.

      The pullback of weapons from the contact line in eastern Ukraine is one of the key provisions of the Minsk peace deal signed in early 2015, which is designed to put an end to the conflict, which has already killed more than 9,600 people.

     The next meeting of the Contact Group is slated for Oct. 26 in Minsk.  Enditem

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by XinHua News Agency

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