Russian FM accuses Ukraine of ignoring ceasefire agreement

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Ukrainian's government of dragging its feet on implementing last year's ceasefire agreement, the Associated Press reports.

Although last year's ceasefire has largely held, none of the political elements of the deal like calling a local election there has been implemented.

Lavrov, who was hosting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Moscow on Wednesday, March 23, told reporters that Kiev's inaction is the main stumbling block to a peace settlement in the east.

Lavrov said Germany floated an idea of holding an election in the rebel-occupied territories this summer but Kiev said no. Kiev insists it can't hold the vote there because of security concerns.

Steinmeier on Wednesday urged both sides to comply with the partial withdrawal and warned of a possible escalation.