LPR threatens to block checkpoint in Zolote after it is opened by Ukraine
The leader of the so-called Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), Leonid Pasechnik, stated that the LPR authorities intend to block the checkpoint in the village of Zolote in the Luhansk region, writes RBC-Ukraine, citing separatist media.
Pasechnik stressed that the checkpoint Zolote will be opened only after an acceptable agreement in Minsk is reached.
“Despite the lack of agreements between the LPR and Ukraine regarding the opening of the Zolote checkpoint, Kyiv intends to unilaterally open the crossing on March 24 and send a large number of people to the LPR. The Zolote checkpoint, on the side of Luhansk People’s Republic, will be closed until the conflicting parties LPR and Ukraine come to an agreement during the negotiations in Minsk,” said the militant leader.
The representatives of the Ukrainian side of the Joint Control and Coordination Center (JCCC) stated that the pro-Russian administration of the territories which are not under Ukraine’s control refused to provide security guarantees for the opening of the checkpoint in Zolote, which intentionally worsens the humanitarian situation in the region.
The opening of the checkpoint is scheduled for 7 am on March 24, 2019.
The LPR has already blocked the opening of KPVV Zolote checkpoint three times since the spring of 2016. The checkpoint in Zolote will simplify life for the 135,000 people who live in the area and are forced to make a huge detour in order to cross the demarcation line.