Assistant to the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak says that the ambassadors of foreign states were personally convinced today that Ukraine fulfills its part of arrangements on the disengagement in the area of Petrivske and Zolote in Donbas.
"Today, we have arrived with our partners, friends - ambassadors of Germany, France, the United States, the United Kingdom. They have personally seen how Ukraine fulfills its arrangements,” Andriy Yermak said during a conversation with journalists at Zolote checkpoint.
Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ruslan Khomchak told media representatives that there had been no shelling in the area of Petrivske (Bohdanivka) for already a week.
“Seven days of silence passed yesterday. Today, all the statements were made, the verification is underway. Tomorrow we will be ready to continue meeting the requirements for disengagement. It will all be reciprocal. At 12:00 noon, there will be a statement by the relevant leaders responsible for the start of the measures,” the Chief of the General Staff noted.
Answering the question of journalists as regards the control over the area of disengagement, Ruslan Khomchak noted that the situation there would be monitored by the OSCE SMM and the Joint Center for Control and Coordination. There are also cameras installed on these sites and the National Police of Ukraine operates there.
He added that the local population strived for the end of shelling, wanted peace and normal life.
“Everyone was able to make sure that there was no shelling in the area of disengagement. Troops that have been withdrawn to a certain distance are ready to respond to all situations,” Ruslan Khomchak said.
For their part, the ambassadors noted the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities on the disengagement in Donbas. They also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to personally hear the opinions of local residents on this process.
"We are hopeful that the disengagement in Petrivske will take place tomorrow," Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen noted.
Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. of the United States Embassy in Ukraine William Taylor said that the Ukrainian party had fulfilled its part of arrangements necessary for holding a meeting in the Normandy format at the highest level.
"This disengagement is part of preparation for this meeting," he explained, therefore there are no obstacles to holding this summit.
William Taylor also stressed the importance for the Ukrainian police and the National Guard to come to this territory after the withdrawal of the Ukrainian troops to ensure security.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Ukraine Etienne de Ponsen noted that President of France Emmanuel Macron was making every effort for the meeting in the Normandy format to take place as soon as possible.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UK to Ukraine Melinda Simmons emphasized that the British government, as well as the other countries, had provided significant support to Ukraine during the conflict in the east.
“We will continue to support the Ukrainian government and the population of Ukraine. It was very important to be here today to understand how much more help we need to provide,” she said.