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                 Russia Urges Expediency in Ukraine Peace Talks

   by Reuters

   Russia is sparing no effort to convene another round of peace talks on
   the conflict in east Ukraine, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander
   Lukashevich said on Thursday, criticizing Kyiv's reluctance to do so.

   Kyiv's envoy to the talks, which also bring together Moscow,
   pro-Russian separatists and the OSCE European watchdog, said on
   Wednesday that any fresh meeting was not viable as long as the rebels
   do not stop firing completely.

   In September in Minsk, the four parties agreed a cease-fire in east
   Ukraine that has since been repeatedly violated, with more than 4,300
   people killed in fighting since mid-April. The next round of Minsk
   talks was planned this week.

   "Russia will dedicate the maximum effort to having a meeting of this
   group organized as soon as possible and bringing about positive results
   for further steps towards carrying out the Minsk agreements,"
   Lukashevich told a news conference.

   Lukashevich said he was "puzzled" by the Kyiv envoy's comments, and
   that the separatists were very interested in holding the talks. He
   blamed Kyiv for scrapping a teleconference on Wednesday to prepare for
   the meeting.

   The Russian spokesman said the new round of talks should focus on
   agreeing a demarcation line between the rival sides in east Ukraine and
   an exchange of prisoners.

   The West has accused Russia of supporting the rebels with arms and of
   sending troops to destabilize Ukraine and stall its drive towards the
   European Union. Russia said it is not involved in the armed conflict, a
   position Lukashevich reiterated on Thursday.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-urges-expediency-in-ukraine-pe
   ace-talks/2554739.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-urges-expediency-in-ukraine-peace-talks/2554739.html