The Office of the President reported that a meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) took place on December 22, which allows to "testify to restrained optimism" about the possible de-escalation of the situation in Donbas and the unblocking of the peace process, reports Segodnya.

This is reported by the acting first deputy head of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG Andrei Kostin.

"For the first time in a long time there is a real opportunity to ensure silence at the line of contact in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Ukrainian side is fully prepared for this. It is important that we saw the willingness of the other side to take this step as well," he said.

It is noted that the ability to implement measures to strengthen the ceasefire "will mean the ability to go the way of peace and through other necessary points." As indicated in the Office of the President, "the Ukrainian side continues to work in all available formats to release detainees, open checkpoints, ensure the implementation of other agreements in the interests of all Ukrainians on both sides of the line of contact."