Ukraine’s Foreign Minister: Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France to negotiate on implementation of ceasefire

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Kyiv, February 15, 2015. Leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France will negotiate the compliance issue with respect to the agreements signed in Minsk and the progress made to implement the ceasefire regime. Such statement was released by Pavlo Klimkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, during the press-briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. “President Petro Poroshenko has had a series of telephone conversations already with President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel,” Mr. Klimkin noted.

Comprehensive implementation of Minsk agreements should be the biggest priority for all signatories, emphasized Minister Klimkin. “The peace plan stipulates a long-term ceasefire, withdrawal of all heavy arms in the next two weeks, as well as the release of all hostages and a guarantee of free access to the humanitarian aid for the residents of Donetsk and Luhansk regions at the foremost. These topics are going to be discussed at the UN Security Council session scheduled for today,” Ukrainian foreign minister said.

Moreover, Pavlo Klimkin highlighted that Russia would not be able to avoid responsibility for violating ceasefire. “Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the signatories in Minsk. Russia has a political responsibility for its own actions and those of pro-Russian militants. The whole civilized international community is ready to take decisive steps in order to put pressure on those who violate peace plan,” Mr. Klimkin said.

The Ukrainian foreign minister also stressed that pro-Russian insurgent leaders prohibited OSCE mission representatives to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire regime. According to Klimkin, militants blocked international observers from reaching Debaltseve, therefore violating the very foundation of Minsk agreement.

Pavlo Klimkin also told that President Petro Poroshenko may declare martial law if the ceasefire regime fails. “The situation in eastern Ukraine has considerably improved. We have to devote our efforts toward the organization of a long-term truce,” Mr. Klimkin concluded.