Foreign and security policy adviser to the German Chancellor Jens Plötner and diplomatic adviser to the President of France Emmanuel Bonn visited Kyiv in accordance with previous agreements reached during a video conference on January 4 this year, following talks in Moscow as part of the Normandy dialogue.
There was a wide exchange of views on ways to intensify joint work within the Normandy format.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the efforts that Ukraine's partners in the Normandy format continue making for the practical implementation of the leaders' agreements reached during the Paris Summit of the Normandy Four leaders in December 2019.
"It is time to agree in a substantive manner for ending the conflict, and we are ready for the necessary decisions during the new summit of the leaders of the four countries," he said.
The meeting participants exchanged views on the current situation and continued discussions on further steps towards the peaceful settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, as well as de-escalation of the situation at Ukraine's borders.
Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak reaffirmed that the Ukrainian side remains committed to the political and diplomatic path of settlement.
He stressed the need to ensure compliance with the ceasefire, the implementation of further swap stages and the opening of checkpoints, as well as the implementation of other decisions of the Paris Summit of the Normandy Four leaders.
The parties agreed to continue contacts within the Normandy format at the level of advisers to agree on modalities for the organization of the next summit of the Normandy Four leaders.
"Ukraine, France and Germany are making greater efforts to resume effective work in the Normandy format at various levels. We expect that the Russian side will support these efforts, as well as contribute to the progress in implementing the decisions of the Paris Summit of the Normandy Four. Holding the next summit in the Normandy format would give a serious impetus to the peace process," Yermak said.
Ukraine provided German and French advisers to the leaders of the countries of the Normandy format with detailed information on the implementation of the Minsk agreements and decisions of the last summit held in 2019 by the parties.