MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Putin issued the call in a telephone conversation held with the leaders of Germany, France and Ukraine as part of the so-called Normandy format.
"Putin called for an immediate end to attacks by Ukrainian armed groups on settlements in Donbass. It was emphasized that a key element of the settlement should be Kiev’s direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk in order to fully and comprehensively implement the February 12, 2015, Minsk agreements," the Kremlin said.
Normandy Four Leaders Stress Compliance With East Ukraine Ceasefire
Russian President Vladimir Putin held phone conversations with French, German and Ukrainian counterparts on the settlement of the crisis in southeastern Ukraine, in which he stressed compliance with the ceasefire, the Kremlin’s press service stated.
"A telephone conversation was held between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel, President of the French Republic Francois Hollande and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko," the Kremlin said.
It noted that the four leaders discussed issues of political settlement in southeastern Ukraine.
"They noted the importance of strictly observing the ceasefire, improving the efficiency of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission by giving it additional powers, as well as strengthening the joint center for control and coordination."
The Normandy partners were also given a package of proposals, agreed with the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, on local elections, special status, amnesty and decentralizations for the Trilateral Contact Group’s consideration.
The sides additionally exchanged views on possible steps to address pressing socioeconomic and humanitarian problems in the region.
