Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed concern with intensive shellings of Donbass by Ukrainian forces in telephone talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, the Kremlin press service said on Wednesday.
“The Russian president noted that there are no alternative to political and diplomatic settlement of the intra-Ukrainian conflict in accordance with provisions outlined in the Minsk package of measures. The common approach was confirmed to step up negotiations efforts on the Ukrainian issues, first of all in the ‘Normandy format’ (Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine) and in the framework of the Contact Group,” the Kremlin said. The sides stressed the importance of complete and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk Agreements and of preventing the situation from deteriorating.
The previous talks of Putin, Merkel and Hollande were held on July 8. Putin then noted provocations staged by Ukrainian forces in Donbass. “In this regard, the Russian president urged his interlocutors to more actively influence the Ukrainian side,” the Kremlin press service said. The leaders also stressed the importance of stepping up negotiations in different formats with the aim of complete and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk Agreements.
“The expediency was noted of synchronizing efforts in the sphere of security and political settlement that includes adopting a law on Donbass special status, holding a constitutional reform and amnesty, organizing local elections,” the Kremlin said adding that “it was agreed to continued consultations on Ukrainian problems at different levels.”
The leaders also exchanged their opinions on the results of the NATO Summit in Warsaw. “They expressed mutual interest in constructive dialogue and taking concrete measures aimed at strengthening trust between Russia and the Alliance,” the press service added.