DONETSK
The "Donetsk People’s Republic” announced Tuesday that they would exclude certain world leaders, two days after controversial referendums were held in provinces in eastern Ukraine.
The document signed by Denis Pushilin, co-chairman of the government of the self-proclaimed republic. According to the document, U.S. President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherina Ashton and British Prime Minister David Cameron cannot enter the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine.
On April 15, Ukrainian forces launched operations against separatist militias in the Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine, and U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel supported the Ukraine government in describing these actions as “anti-terror” operations.
The document claimed that Catherine Ashton did not punish the Ukrainian government for operations against civilians and alleges that she supported the Ukrainian government's actions.
Tthe document adds that the British PM is included in the list only formally, without sanctions being applied.
The referendums on “self-rule” were held on Sunday, while the region was under occupation by pro-Russian separatists, who seek to 'reunite' two regions of eastern Ukraine with Russia.
Merkel urges Ukrainian groups to join round table talks
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged pro-Russian groups in Ukraine’s regions to join discussions in pursuit of a political solution to the crisis.
“All representatives of the regions and the Ukrainian society, those who renounce violence, should participate in this national dialogue,” Merkel said on Tuesday in an interview with German daily Westfalenpost. “Ukrainian crisis cannot be solved militarily.”
Germany’ Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier is visiting Kiev and Odessa on Tuesday to talk with the various parties.
“We support your efforts to launch a national dialogue through Round Tables under Ukrainian ownership,” said Steinmeier in a joint press conference With Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
Steinmeier proposed early this month greater mediation role for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and convening of "round table" talks in national and regional levels to seek political solution to the crisis.
The organization's chairperson, Swiss President of the Confederation Didier Burkhalter, presented a plan for negotiations last week, after discussions with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian government announced last Thursday that it was planning to hold round-table meetings but ruled out negotiating with any armed group which it labelled as “terrorists.”
A first round table meeting in Kiev is expected on Wednesday.
OSCE has named prominent retired German ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger as the co-moderator of the round table talks.
The 68 years old Ischinger is an expert on international law has known for his specialization on conflicts and Balkans. Ischinger led the German delegation during the Bosnian Peace negotiations in Dayton.
The retired German diplomat served as an ambassador to the Washington between the years 2001-2006.
While having close contacts in the U.S., Ischinger is also well-known for his criticism of several aspects of U.S. foreign policy. In March, Ischinger criticized the U.S. and its Western parties for their decision to cancel a G8 meeting in Sochi as a reaction to Russia’s Ukraine policy.
Since 2008, Ischinger is serving as the chairman of the international Munich Security Conference.
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