Germany and France called on Ukraine and Russia to maintain restraint in the conflict. This is evidenced by a joint statement by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian after a meeting in Brussels (Belgium) with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, Ukrainian News reported.
"We, the foreign ministers of Germany and France, met today in Brussels with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the margins of the Eastern Partnership ministerial meeting. Germany and France reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Faced with renewed concerns about the movement of Russian military forces and equipment near Ukraine, the two ministers urged Russia to take a restrained stance and be transparent in its military activities. Any further attempt to undermine Ukraine's territorial integrity would have serious consequences. We called on Ukraine to maintain restraint," the statement said.
The text of the statement is published on the website of the French Foreign Ministry.
It is stressed that Ukraine made a significant contribution to de-escalation of tensions in the spring, despite Russia's aggressive rhetoric and lack of transparency on Russia's part given its international obligations.
"We expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation in Donbas. We called on Ukraine to continue full implementation of the Minsk agreements and maintain its participation in the Normandy format talks. We remain committed to achieving a settlement of the conflict on the basis of the Minsk agreements. We regret Russia's new refusal to hold a meeting at the level of foreign ministers in the Normandy format and reiterate our readiness for a constructive and substantive meeting and discussions," the statement stressed.
The foreign ministers urged Russia to do the same in order to achieve lasting peace in Donbas.
