Ukraine calls Normandy Summit President Zelensky's first success
(Baonghean.vn) - President Zelensky's assistant said that the Normandy summit taking place this year marked the first success of Ukraine and the policy of President Vladimir Zelensky.
 |
| The Normandy Summit took place in Paris, France in 2015. Photo: TASS |
In an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, Ukrainian presidential aide Andrei Yermak said that the Minsk agreements were signed five years ago and need to be clarified and seriously implemented in the coming time.
"The new Ukrainian government, not only in words, but in practice, has demonstrated compliance with all obligations under the Minsk agreements. For example, the withdrawal of troops at the agreed points along the border. We are expecting the same readiness from the other parties," Andrei Yermak, aide to the President of Ukraine, said in response to a question about expectations ahead of the upcoming Normandy Summit, emphasizing that the Minsk agreements were signed five years ago and need to be strictly implemented.
President Zelensky's aide also stressed that Kiev hopes for the support of European partners France and Germany in the negotiations at the Normandy Summit.
"After many transitions, the Normandy summit taking place this year marks the first success of Ukraine and the policy of President Vladimir Zelensky," Andrei Yermak expressed confidence.
Referring to the implementation of the “Steinmeier formula”, presidential aide Yermak noted that this “should become part of Ukrainian law, and only regulate the change of status of some special regions such as Donetsk and Lugansk from temporary to permanent”.
Regarding the organization of local elections, Mr. Yermak said: "The most important thing is that these elections must be held in accordance with Ukrainian law, including the fact that elections will not be held if there is the presence of foreign troops or armed groups in Ukraine."
The first steps towards a new settlement in Donbass or the return of Ukrainian prisoners, the Ukrainian presidential aide called this "a truly lasting truce".
The "Steinmeier Formula" was proposed by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to resolve the most crucial and most difficult content to implement the Minsk Agreement. That is the special status for the two Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk that have declared themselves the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) and the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).
The Normandy Summit to resolve the Ukraine crisis will be held on December 9 in Paris, France; with the participation of leaders of four countries: Russia, France, Germany, and Ukraine.