The question of the possible occurrence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics (DPR and LPR) in Russia at the state level was never discussed, said Deputy head of the presidential administration Dmitry Kozak. “Regarding various statements by political figures and public organizations about the possibilities and prospects of joining of the Donbass to Russia. It is the opinion solely of the authors of these statements. At the state level questions in such a setting, even in the first approximation, has never been discussed”,— said Mr. Kozak in his interview to TASS.According to him, Russia is not losing hope for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. “We are vitally interested in it. Even the frozen conflict in the South-Western borders of the Russian Federation absolutely not needed,” he said. Dmitry Kozak noted that the representatives of Russia in the contact group have “a simple and unambiguous Directive to” support any agreement between the Donbass and Ukraine to prevent escalation.Earlier, former Prime Minister of the DNI and the head of the volunteer Union of Donbass Alexander Boroday announced the imminent entry of the republics in Russia not only de facto but also de jure. The Kremlin said it had no information about the “steps in the direction of Russia” by the DNI and the LC.
