Zelenskiy insists on a Normandy format summit | News from Germany about Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists on holding a new summit in the “Normandy format”. This was announced on Tuesday, January 11, at the office of the head of state. “The time has come to substantively negotiate an end to the conflict, and we are ready for the necessary decisions during the new summit of the leaders of the four countries,” Zelensky said.

Earlier that day, the head of the Ukrainian state received foreign policy adviser to German Chancellor Jens Plötner and diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Bonn, who visited Kiev for talks with the head of the Ukrainian leader’s office, Andriy Yermak. Agreements on this score were reached after the meeting in Moscow – within the framework of the continuation of the dialogue in the “Normandy format”.

Compliance with the ceasefire, release of detainees

The interlocutors exchanged views on the current situation and continued to discuss further steps with a view to a peaceful settlement of the conflict, as well as de-escalation of the situation on the borders of Ukraine. The head of the presidential office confirmed that Kiev is committed to the political and diplomatic path of settlement. Andriy Yermak noted the need to ensure compliance with the full ceasefire, the implementation of further stages of the mutual release of the detainees and the opening of checkpoints of entry and exit.

Harmonization of modalities for organizing the summit

The parties agreed to continue contacts at the level of advisers in order to agree on modalities for organizing the next summit.

“Ukraine, France and Germany are making active efforts to resume effective work in the Normandy format at different levels,” Yermak said. “We expect the Russian side to support these efforts,” he said. “The holding of the next summit in the” Normandy format “would give a serious impetus to the process of a peaceful settlement,” added the head of the presidential office.

Implementation of the Minsk agreements

Ukraine provided German and French advisers with detailed information on the implementation by the parties of the Minsk agreements, as well as the decisions of the 2019 summit.

The Russian authorities, who have been pulling troops and military equipment to the border with Ukraine in recent months, categorically deny plans for a military operation on Ukrainian territory and accuse the West of arming Ukraine, as well as conducting exercises near the Russian borders. Moscow demands a number of concessions on security issues, in particular, NATO’s refusal to further expand eastward and Ukraine’s admission to the alliance.

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