Donbas elections may be held before return of borders to Ukraine – German ambassador to Ukraine

Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine Ernst Reichel said this at a press conference in Kharkiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"If there are conditions for free expression of will of people, the elections in Donbas may be held before Ukraine restores its control over the border," Reichel said.

According to him, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier proposed a "formula of order."

"According to this formula, the Verkhovna Rada has to adopt a law on the elections in Donbas and to hold these elections, and then the OSCE will make a conclusion whether they comply with the European standards or not," he said.

According to him, if there is no correspondence, the "Parliament’s laws will not take effect."

At the same time, Reichel clarified that he was speaking about the laws on special status of Donbas areas.

As for the Minsk agreements, he said that Germany "insists on their implementation".

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