Ukrainian soldier on the demarcation line with Donetsk region. Archival photoMOSCOW, January 17France and Germany consider the implementation of the Minsk agreements the only solution to the conflict in Donbass and are directing efforts for this within the framework of the Normandy format, said French Ambassador to the Russian Federation Pierre Levy. (Minsk agreements) France and Germany are directing their efforts within the Normandy format towards their full implementation, they remain the only basis for resolving the conflict in Donbass,» he said during a briefing on the French presidency of the EU Council.
The head of the French Foreign Ministry will visit Ukraine together with a colleague from GermanyIn April 2014, the Ukrainian authorities launched a military operation against the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR, which declared independence after the coup in Kiev in February 2014. According to the latest UN data, about 13 thousand people became victims of the conflict. The issue of resolving the situation in Donbass is being discussed, including during meetings of the contact group. However, even after the ceasefire agreements, skirmishes continue, in the DPR they announced the shelling of residential areas by Ukrainian heavy artillery. Moscow has repeatedly stated that Kiev does not comply with the Minsk agreements and drags out negotiations to resolve the conflict. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Kiev sent half of the entire personnel of the armed forces of Ukraine to the Donbass. Moscow expressed concern about the transfer of military equipment from NATO countries to the Russian borders and the increase in the number of Western instructors in the Donbass. Western countries continue to provide military support to Ukraine, including by supplying weapons that are used in the Donbass. consider in the Foreign Ministry
