Contents tagged with Minsk agreements

  • Russia threatens Ukraine with ‘irreparable consequences’ if Kyiv attempts to change Minsk agreements

    If Ukraine tries to amend the Minsk agreements, it will face "irreparable consequences", stated the representative of Russia in the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbass (TCG) Boris Gryzlov, RIA Novosti reports.

    "Any attempts by Kyiv to change the Minsk agreements, including changing the order of steps to be implemented, can lead to irreparable consequences," he said.

    In addition, the Russian representative made it clear that control over the Russian-Ukrainian border before the elections in the …

  • Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Kyiv will demand that peacekeepers be deployed in Donbas if Minsk Agreements fail

    Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadim Prystaiko does not rule out that Ukraine can return to the idea of deploying a UN peacekeeping contingent in the uncontrolled territory of Donbass, if the Minsk agreements fail.

    "Our team is trying to do everything according to the Minsk Agreements, and when we realize that there is nothing new to talk about based on the Minsk Agreements and Russia is resisting every issue, then we will turn to the next step... it will not be my decision, but the President’s... …

  • Kyiv demands dissolution of DPR and LPR as condition for Minsk Agreements

    Ukraine is willing to implement the political part of the Minsk Agreements only after the dissolution of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) and the withdrawal of troops along the demarcation line in the Donbas, said Darya Olifer, spokesperson for Leonid Kuchma, Ukraine’s representative in the Trilateral Contact Group, in a Facebook post.

    Before the “political section” of the Minsk Agreements can be implemented, the shooting must also cease completely, the …

  • Ukrainian Foreign Minister: EU to keep sanctions against Russia

    Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko stated that the European Union's sanctions against Russia could not be lifted until Russia fulfills its part of the Minsk agreements.

    "We have a consensus with European Foreign Ministers that sanctions cannot be lifted if Russia does not fulfill its part of the Minsk agreements," wrote Prystaiko on Twitter.

    Prystaiko also noted that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry asked to strengthen sanctions because of the recent so-called "elections" in the Russian- …

  • Dutch Foreign Minister: Netherlands will not allow lifting sanctions against Russia until Kremlin implements Minsk agreements

    Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko in Kyiv that the Netherlands would not allow lifting sanctions against Russia without the implementation of the Minsk agreements, reports Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

    "The Netherlands does not recognize the annexation of Crimea. The Netherlands will not allow the EU to lift its sanctions against Russia without the full implementation of the Minsk agreements," said Blok.

    He …

  • Merkel: EU cooperation with Russia will be limited until it adheres to Minsk agreements

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the full cooperation of the European Union with Russia would not be possible until it implements the Minsk agreements, reports Interfax-Ukraine.

    "The Minsk agreements must be implemented... before that, the opportunities for cooperation will not be at the same level we would like them to be," said Merkel at a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda. According to the German Chancellor, the parties discussed this issue at the …

  • Ukrainian President Zelensky hopes for mutual understanding with Putin

    After the announcement of the first exit poll data of early parliamentary elections in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for a dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports Deutsche Welle.

    "During the telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin it seemed that we can find mutual understanding," said the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky at a briefing.

    Zelensky confirmed that he had discussed with Putin the exchange of prisoners and …

  • President Zelensky’s team explains Kuchma’s statement on response fire and lifting of Donbas blockade

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s press secretary has commented on the outcome of the recent peace talks in Minsk.

    “The lives of Ukrainian soldiers are absolutely and unconditionally valuable. The President wants peace. A stable and long-lasting ceasefire in the Donbas is a key issue for returning to peace. Yesterday’s meeting in Minsk gave us a restrained optimism concerning the further resolution of the military conflict. However, many interpretations of the talks appeared in the news. …

  • Zelensky discussed ways to ‘revive’ the Minsk process with the Foreign Ministers of France and Germany

    President Volodymyr Zelensky met with French and German Foreign Ministers Jean-Yves Le Drian and Heiko Maas. The interlocutors discussed the reforms and the ways how to settle the conflict in the Donbas, reports Interfax-Ukraine.

    After the meeting in Kyiv, President Zelensky said to reporters that "they support our priorities, and the priorities of my team are economical and anti-corruption issues. Also, the main priority of every Ukrainian is a ceasefire and the end of the war."

    The …

  • Zelensky: Ukraine is fighting two wars – one against Russia and one against corruption

    During a meeting with US Senator Robert Portman, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is fighting two wars, one against Russia, the other against corruption.

    Zelensky and Portman met to discuss the political situation in Ukraine, especially the snap parliamentary election, the president’s press service reported.

    The newly elected president explained that his decision to dissolve parliament was in line with a public survey. He observed that holding elections in July will …