Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak addressed the heads of foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine at the conference of ambassadors "Diplomacy 30. Strategy of Strong State," taking place in Huta, Ivano-Frankivsk region.
He briefed the Ukrainian ambassadors on the progress of negotiations within the Minsk process and the Normandy format on ending the war and resolving the situation in Donbas.
Yermak said that these negotiations have been quite difficult lately, but Ukraine is trying different ways to move this process forward. In particular, the Ukrainian side presented a number of key initiatives within the TCG: return to the ceasefire, swap of detainees and the opening of checkpoints. Complex initiatives were also prepared and handed over to the partners – 10 steps, the implementation of which will be able to unlock the peace process.
The head of the Office of the President said that the leadership of the United States has decided to join the settlement process in eastern Ukraine.
"At the same time, this does not threaten the existence of the Normandy format. This is a parallel track. We discussed similar issues with the United Kingdom today. Turkey is ready to play the same role," he said.
President of France Emmanuel Macron and the leadership of the European Union, in particular President of the European Council Charles Michel, are now taking a very active position on this issue.
"We are in a very strong position today. And when Russia has made some proposals for security in Europe, we are telling everyone: what can security be like in Europe without ending the war in central Europe?" he said.
Yermak also stressed the importance of viable communication on Ukraine's aspirations to become a member of NATO.
According to him, it is very important to provide information on complex and extremely important historical reforms in Ukraine.
"For example, today is the first time we are fighting the oligarchs as a phenomenon. And the law on de-oligarchization does not target any particular person. Its goal is to make it impossible for some rich people in Ukraine to "buy" ministers, deputies, and influence state decisions," the head of the President's Office said.
