Zelensky discusses preparations for Normandy format summit with Merkel and Macron

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the intensification of talks to end the war in eastern Ukraine and the preparations for the Normandy format summit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of France Emmanuel Macron.

“Had an important conversation with Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron on intensifying negotiations to end the war in Donbas and preparing for the Normandy Four Summit. Ukraine, France, and Germany stand for agreeing on coordinated successive steps that will ensure peace,” Zelensky posted on Twitter on October 11.

As the press service of the Head of State informs, Zelensky thanked Germany and France for their unwavering position in support of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as for their active participation in the Normandy format negotiations so far. He also expressed hope for the same active participation in the future.

The parties expect this summit to be constructive and lead to agreements on coordinated successive steps that will ensure the establishment of sustainable peace in Donbas. The leaders discussed proposals for agreements that could be considered at the Normandy format summit.

The President of Ukraine informed the interlocutors about the security situation in the east of the country, as well as about the efforts of the Ukrainian side to achieve peace.

The German and French leaders commended the important practical steps taken by the Ukrainian side to resolve the conflict. They assured that their countries would continue to make all necessary efforts for a peaceful settlement in eastern Ukraine.

The meeting participants noted the importance of the parties' compliance with the commitments made in Paris in December 2019 and agreed on the need to discuss in detail the state of their implementation during the next summit.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of France Emmanuel Macron promised to raise these issues during their talks with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

On September 27, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said that he did not rule out that the summit of the leaders of the Normandy format countries could take place before the end of Angela Merkel's tenure as German Chancellor. The previous Normandy format summit took place on December 9, 2019, in Paris. Since then, only meetings of political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy format countries have taken place.

Photo credit: president.gov.ua

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