EU approves Kyiv's plan for Donbas
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission Federica Mogherini said at a press conference after a meeting with Foreign Ministers of EU member-countries in Luxembourg that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko presented a comprehensive and satisfactory plan on how to resolve the conflict in the Donbas.
"We have received from him [Prystaiko] a fairly comprehensive and, I would say, satisfactory picture of the plans that the Ukrainian government and the administration have for the upcoming reforms," she said.
Mogherini added that the EU also appreciated Kyiv's decision on the conflict resolution. She noted that the EU has recently seen "some positive changes" in this area and is eager to support them.
High Representative also said that she confirmed to all Ukrainians represented by Prystaiko, that the EU expresses support to the country and its sovereignty. The plan's details were not disclosed.
Earlier, Prystaiko said that the Ukrainian government would make "the last honest attempt to follow the Minsk agreements." He also said that Ukraine could leave the Minsk process. Russia has repeatedly stated that it sees no alternative to the Minsk agreements.
At a press conference in Kyiv on October 1, President Zelensky said that Ukraine had agreed to the text of the Steinmeier Formula at the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk.
He emphasized that elections could only take place in the occupied Donbas territories if Kyiv is given full control of the parts of the Russian border in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that are currently not under its control.
On September 12, Zelensky said that Kyiv would insist on a Normandy Format session in September. He said that the leaders of the four represented countries would discuss the “Steinmeier Formula and all aspects of the Minsk Agreements”.
The formula was proposed by former German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He said that the Donbas should be given a “special status” on the day that elections are held in the occupied territories, with the simultaneous withdrawal of illegal armed groups.