President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the European Council Charles Michel visited the Administrative Services Center at “Shchastya” checkpoint in the Luhansk region.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Charles Michel thanked the employees of the Center and wished them success in their work.
The Head of State also thanked the President of the European Council for his visit to Ukraine, in particular for visiting Donbas.
"Today, with your own eyes, Mr. President, you have seen the devastating consequences of the war in the east and what Ukraine is doing to improve the extremely difficult situation of its citizens in the temporarily occupied territories. "Shchastya" in this regard is a bright example. This is the border that temporarily separates the occupied part of Ukraine from the rest of free, democratic, modern Ukraine. The border, which is located in the heart of Europe today, artificially and forcibly separates people from the rule of law, human rights, freedom and a decent life," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a joint press statement with the President of the European Council.
The President of Ukraine stressed that our state seeks peace in Donbas and the return of the temporarily occupied territories as soon as possible.
"The presence of the leader of the European Union here today is a demonstration that Ukraine is not alone in these efforts," Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
He expressed profound gratitude to the European Union and personally to Charles Michel for political support, diplomatic and sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation for its implementation of the Minsk agreements and the deoccupation of Ukrainian territories.
"I am convinced that the European Council chaired by Charles Michel at the end of this month will have a tough stance on aggression against Ukraine," the President said.
For his part, the President of the European Council called the situation when in 2021 the war on the European continent continues and people die unacceptable.
"This is a disgraceful reality. People continue dying in this conflict and live in extremely difficult conditions," Charles Michel said.
He underscored the European Union's unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"We provide all possible support in all possible ways and make every effort to support the Normandy Four format and the work of the Trilateral Contact Group to bring peace to the people of Donbas," Charles Michel noted.
According to the President of the European Council, full implementation of the Minsk agreements is the way to peace.
"And I commend the important steps that Ukraine has taken under your leadership, Mr. President, in this regard," he said.
The President of the European Council stressed that Russia, unfortunately, did not take the positive steps demonstrated by Ukraine to implement the Minsk agreements.
"That is why our economic sanctions against Russia will remain. Russia is part of this conflict, not a mediator," Charles Michel emphasized.
