One of the priority issues to be raised by the Ukrainian party during the negotiations in the Normandy format in Paris is the return of all captives to Ukraine, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“We have returned the sailors, political prisoners, but not all of them. This is an important humanitarian, very personal issue for me. I really want a big release called "all for all". I want all Ukrainians to be at home,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with the media following the negotiations with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden Stefan Löfven in Kyiv.
Another topic of discussion is the security situation in Donbas. According to the Head of State, during the negotiations, it may be possible to reach an agreement on the withdrawal of all illegal armed formations, if all parties are interested in putting an end to hostilities.
"If all parties want to end the war as we want, we will be able to achieve tangible results in the complete withdrawal of all troops and illegal weapons. This is an important issue. I would like to understand the terms,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
In addition, the President noted that during the talks, Ukraine would raise the issue of possibility and format of holding local elections in Donbas.
“The most important thing for us is to ensure that this complies with the legislation of Ukraine. It is very important to ensure that all our parties are represented at the local elections under the law of Ukraine, to involve not only ours, but also foreign observers, and to provide free, safe access for journalists,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
The President also informed that the Ukrainian side would raise the issue of the format and timing of the transfer of the Ukrainian-Russian border under the control of the Ukrainian authorities.
For his part, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven emphasized that Sweden praised the meeting in the Normandy format.
“The overall goal is to find a way to resolve this conflict. Undoubtedly, Ukraine and the Ukrainian President, Mr. Zelenskyy, are ready to do something concrete right now. It is time for Russia to take responsibility,” he stressed.
According to Stefan Löfven, the Normandy format is the best way to achieve the expected results. The Prime Minister of Sweden expressed hope for the settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
