The Kremlin

The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov states that the escalation of the conflict on the contact line in Donbas can be cause for the immediate resumption of cooperation between Russia and the United States, according to Lenta.ru [site in Russian].

Dmitry Peskov reminded that the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the USA President Donald Trump in a recent telephone conversation did not discuss in detail the situation in Ukraine, and in the conversation only accentuated the need to resolve the crisis.

The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also states that the escalation in Donbas is yet another reason for the United States and Russia to resume dialogue as soon as possible.

“As regards the current aggravation at the contact line, this is perhaps additional reason for quick resumption of the dialogue and cooperation between Russia and America, including in the interest and for the resolution of the Ukrainian issue,” states the Kremlin spokesman.

The UN Security Council expresses concern about the deteriorating situation in Donbas, and urges the immediate restoration of the ceasefire.

“Council members condemned the use of weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements along the contact line in Donetsk region that lead to deaths and injuries, including among civilians,” states the UN Council.

“The members of the Security Council expressed their full support of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and underlined the need for strict compliance with resolution 2202 (2015), which endorsed the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements,” aimed at ending the violence in eastern regions of Ukraine.”

Though Russian members of Joint Control and Coordination Centre has ignored Ukraine’s offers to put pressure on militants and decrease the number of attacks on civilian objects, said the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Volodymyr Yelchenko

“The Ukrainian members sent their Russian counterparts 45 requests to put pressure on the Russian militants, so that they would at least stop firing on civilian objects. No response followed. The Ukrainian side tried to call the session of the Minsk Trilateral Group on this issue, but Russia insisted there is no need for that,” states Volodymyr Yelchenko.

Telephone conversation between the leaders of the Russian Federation and the USA was held on January 30, it lasted about 45 minutes. The Kremlin called [the] dialogue constructive and productive.

Source: UA position