President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Chancellor wished Volodymyr Zelenskyy good health and a speedy recovery. The interlocutors discussed the developments in Ukraine and Germany due to the deterioration of the epidemic situation caused by the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
The President requested to broaden Ukraine's access to the coronavirus vaccine, which is currently being developed in the framework of the COVAX International Fund.
"We welcome the breakthrough achieved by the German company BioNTech together with the American company Pfizer in the development of a coronavirus vaccine. This is very encouraging news. I would like to ask for your assistance in taking into account the interests of Ukraine when planning the supply of COVID-19 vaccine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The parties agreed to further coordinate efforts to overcome the impact of the pandemic.
The interlocutors focused on the issue of achieving peace in Donbas and the implementation of the Paris Summit agreements in the Normandy format.
The President of Ukraine spoke about the longest truce in the east.
"We have a positive aspect - the longest truce in the entire war period. A key achievement: the number of Ukrainian military casualties has decreased tenfold compared to last year. However, provocations by illegal armed groups are still ongoing. This makes it extremely difficult to move towards peace," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
He noted that the Ukrainian party had fully complied with the agreements on the opening of Shchastya and Zolote checkpoints. This was confirmed by Ukraine's international partners, in particular diplomats from other countries, OSCE representatives in the TCG. At the same time, the planned beginning of work of the mentioned checkpoints was disrupted today by the other party, which did not open the checkpoint in the territory of the Luhansk region not controlled by Ukraine.
The President of Ukraine also spoke about the joint action plan prepared by Ukraine, provided in advance to our partners in the Normandy format, which will help intensify the work of the TCG.
The President of Ukraine and the Chancellor of Germany noted the importance of the forthcoming conversation between the advisors to the leaders of the Normandy Four.