Merkel supported changes in the Minsk Tripartite Contact Group

In a telephone conversation, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the restoration of peace in Donbas and the results of the Ukrainian delegation’s working visit to Germany on June 2.

According to the press service of the President of Ukraine, the interlocutors noted the high level of mutual understanding between the Ukrainian and German sides on key approaches to a peaceful settlement, emphasizing the inevitability of the diplomatic path.

They also emphasized the need for consistent and strict implementation by the parties involved in all agreements reached during the Paris Summit of Leaders of the member states of the “Normandy format” in December 2019.

The Ukrainian side reaffirmed its commitment to maximum coordination with its partners in the Donbas peace settlement – Germany and France. “Merkel has stated her support for the changes in the work of the Tripartite Contact Group initiated by Ukraine,” the statement said.

The parties also discussed a number of issues on the Ukrainian-German bilateral agenda, including cooperation in countering the COVID-19 pandemic and financial and economic relations.

Natalia Tolub