Putin says he does not oppose US joining Normandy talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin is not against the United States of America joining the Normandy format of talks on settling the conflict in the Donbas along with Ukraine, Germany, France, and Russia, he stated at a press conference.
"The United States, in fact, is a full-fledged participant in the settlement process, regardless of whether it is within the framework of the Normandy format or not, the US is still very deeply involved and aware of events taking place there. Should they formally be included in the Normandy format? I do not know. In any case, it does not depend on us, believe me. I was never against it," Putin said.
The US Special Representative for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, stated that he sees no point in the US joining the Normandy format.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that there was no need to change the Normandy format. At the same time, he said that Ukraine welcomes the more active participation of the US in the format of the Minsk process, including the Tripartite Contact Group.