Poroshenko Discusses Ukrainian Conflict with Merkel and Hollande
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko held a telephone conference with the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, and the President of France, Francois Hollande, reported the Press Service of the Administration of the Ukrainian President.
According to the report, the Ukrainian President stressed the unacceptability of the violation of the ceasefire by the Russian-backed separatists and the denial of access of OSCE observers to the occupied territory and uncontrolled parts of the Russian-Ukrainian border.
"The parties discussed further steps for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements; in particular, the coordination of local election processes in some of the districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in accordance with Ukrainian legislation. They also discussed preparation for the resumption of Ukraine's full control over the border," informed the administration.
In this context, the President of Ukraine stressed the importance of these steps, as envisioned by the Minsk Agreements, to be carried out in 2016. The Russian Federation should be held to its part of the agreement as well. The Press Service emphasized that "Petro Poroshenko, Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande agreed to continue contacts next week."
Previously, numerous media reports were published referring to ‘experts’ and ‘sources’ in relaying the details of a conversation between Poroshenko and a representative of the Russian Federation, Boris Gryzlov.
The representative of the Russian Federation arrived in Kiev at the personal invitation of Poroshenko. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the main issues concerning Moscow's relations with Kiev. Gryzlov represented Russian President Vladimir Putin at the meeting.