Russia: Ukraine Ignoring Peace Deal

MOSCOW (AP) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Ukrainian's government of dragging its feet on implementing last year's cease-fire agreement.

Although last year's cease-fire between separatists and Ukrainian government forces 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, told reporters that Kiev's inaction is the main stumbling block to a peace settlement in the east. Lavrov said Germany had 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.

(KA)