Russia’s foreign ministry: Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics must remain part of Ukraine

The self-proclaimed Lugansk and Donetsk people’s republics (LPR and DPR) must remain a part of Ukraine, Russia’ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said in an interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

“At all levels, including the president of Russia and other formats, we have been stating that we support the idea of them becoming a part of Ukraine,” the minister said.

“They have presented their draft constitution. They speak there of the same status envisaged by the Minsk agreements: the republics will be a part of Ukraine, and further there will a constitution reform in order to fix this status on a permanent basis,” continued Lavrov.

According to the Russian foreign minister, this obligation was sanctioned by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollandes. Besides, Sergey Lavrov believes that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is an appropriate person for dialog. “He is the president, he should be supported,” explained the minister.