Photo from UNIAN

"We tell [them] – please give the enterprises back to Ukrainian owners irrespective of whether they are state-owned – as they have also seized state companies – or privately owned. Implement Clauses 1 and 2 of the Minsk Agreements. This means: a ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy equipment and artillery – and we'll lift restrictions on [commercial] freight transportation across the contact line," he told Ukrainian television channels on Wednesday, March 15.

Read alsoUkraine halts all movement of goods across contact line in DonbasAs UNIAN reported earlier, the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine on March 15 decided to halt the movement of goods across the contact line in the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone, considering the earlier "nationalization" of Ukrainian companies in the occupied areas and escalation at the frontline. The measure will be in effect until the return of the seized assets estimated at US$2 billion under the jurisdiction of Ukraine.

NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov announced that all highways, roads and railways approaching the contact line in the Ukrainian-controlled territory would be blocked.

Видео дня

Further, the NSDC ordered the Interior Ministry, the National Police, the National Guard, and the SBU Security Service of Ukraine to take additional measures to ensure public safety and counteract subversive activity and acts of terrorism.

At the same time, the Ukrainian authorities assure that the restriction does not concern transportation of humanitarian aid and passenger haulage.