Kiev, March 18 (IANS): Leaders of the self-proclaimed People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky, respectively, accused Kiev on Wednesday of sabotaging the Minsk agreements that aim to settle the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Efe news agency reported.

"The conclusion is: Kiev does not want peace and seeks through violence and economic blockade to destroy the Donbass (area covering the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk)," said the two separatist leaders in a joint statement released by DAN, a pro-Russian news agency.

The leaders' remarks came after Tuesday's approval by the Ukrainian parliament of a law granting a special autonomy status provided elections are held under international supervision, and the withdrawal of illegal armed formations out of these territories.

According to the separatist leaders, there can be no compromise with the authorities in Kiev until they repeal the "shameful decision" taken by President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, and the Ukrainian parliament.

Ukrainian lawmakers declared the areas in eastern Ukraine controlled by the rebels as "temporarily occupied territories", until the withdrawal of armed groups and Kiev's full control of the Russian-Ukrainian borders.

The parliament also supported Poroshenko's plan to call on the UN Security Council and the European Union to deploy peacekeepers in the conflict zone, something that the separatists and Russia oppose.