(VOVworld) – The Ukraine Contact Group held their first meeting Wednesday in Minsk, Belarus, hoping for an effective implementation of a peace process.

The representatives of self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics in the contact group, Denis Pushilin (R) and Vladislav Deinego, arrived in Minsk, Belarus. (Photo: Itar-TASS)

Denish Pushilin, Representative of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk, said the opposition in eastern Ukraine and the Kiev government are now talking and expressed his hope that the talks will be continued until an agreement is reached.
Vladislav Deinego, Representative of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Lugansk, said they have had a constructive dialogue and there have been no major disagreements so far.  
Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma said the sub-groups on economics and infrastructure rebuilding, humanitarian aid, politics, and security have set a date for the next meeting in Minsk, while the representatives of Russia and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe agreed the meeting creates hope for a political solution in eastern Ukraine.