Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine has not signed any agreements with the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") and "Luhansk People's Republic" ("LPR") controlled by Russia, but agreed on the "Steinmeier formula" in a letter addressed to Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the TCG, Ambassador Martin Sajdik.
"Have we signed any general agreements with the so-called 'DPR' or 'LPR'? No! We sent a separate letter to Mr. Sajdik, where we showed the coordination of positions on the text of this formula," he said in his video address on October 3.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said the Ukrainian side at Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) talks in Minsk had responded to a letter from Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the TCG, Ambassador Martin Sajdik that the so-called "Steinmeier formula" on the peace settlement in Donbas was "pending approval."
"We responded to Mr. Sajdik's letter that we have been in the process of approval of the wording of the 'Steinmeier formula,'" Zelensky said.
"The 'Steinmeier formula' should be incorporated in a new law on special status [the law on special provisions of local self-government in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions], which is not ready yet," Zelensky said.
The current law on Donbas' special status is expiring on December 31, 2019.
According to the president, a new law will be developed by the Parliament in close cooperation and open discussion with the public and no "red line" will be crossed in the new law.
