Ukraine insists that a meeting in the Normandy format at the level of heads of state should take place already in September, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with media representatives in Kyiv after the meeting with President of Finland Sauli Niinistö.
"We insist that this meeting must be held in September. Because the end of the war, the return of all our prisoners is a priority for me as President of Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, answering questions about a possible date of the meeting in the Normandy format.
As for whether Ukraine would agree to use the so-called Steinmeier formula for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that on September 2, a meeting in the Normandy format had been held at the level of representatives of four countries, which had discussed all issues, including the mentioned formula.
The President of Ukraine noted that the given issue would be considered by the leaders of the countries participating in the Normandy format. "The Steinmeier formula and all the points of the Minsk agreements will be considered, the decision will be made by the leaders of four countries. As I said, we have to discuss all the points of the Minsk agreements,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
He emphasized that Ukraine was guided by the position of preserving national interests in the negotiations.
"You know perfectly well that I did not sign these Minsk agreements, but we understand that the responsibility is now on me. Nobody takes this responsibility away, because it is our country. And we will work and fight to protect Ukrainian interests,” the Head of State said.
“We believe in that. We hope and we, together with our diplomatic “army”, do everything for this meeting to be held shortly,” he added.
