DONETSK, January 9 (Sputnik) – The Contact Group on Ukrainian reconciliation held a video conference prior to the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) negotiator Denis Pushilin said Friday.
The Contact Group on Ukraine comprises representatives of Russia, Ukraine, DPR and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The group's first meeting in September resulted in a ceasefire agreement that has not been honored by either side, according to both Kiev and independence supporters.
"Before a possible meeting in Astana, the Contact Group held video consultations and continued discussion on the conflict settlement in Donbas," a news source in Donetsk quoted Pushilin as saying.
The upcoming round of the Normandy format talks is scheduled for January 15-16.
The Normandy format meeting on Ukraine dates back to June 2014, when the leaders of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine met in Normandy, France to discuss a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.
