Putin, Merkel & Macron discuss Ukraine issue; stress on value of Normandy format: Kremlin

In a phone conversation, Germany's outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vlimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron recently discussed Ukraine issue. According to a statement by Kremlin, three leers discussed in detail “worrying stalemate” in effort to end internal conflict in Ukraine. During ir conversation, Merkle, Putin and Macron even noted importance of implementing 2015 Minsk agreements as only possible basis for a settlement. 

"Interest was also expressed in furr coordinating efforts in Normandy format of Russia, Germany and France," statement ded.  

In recent years tensions have been rising over conflict in eastern Ukraine, with rampant ceasefire violations and a massive Russian military buildup near its border with region. Ukraine was part of Soviet Union until its 1991 collapse. separatist conflict in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, known as Donbass, erupted in April 2014.

Ukraine and Western nations have said Russia sent troops and weapons to east to support separatists. Moscow, on or hand, has denied those claims and insisted that Russians fighting alongside rebels went re on ir own. Ukraine and West have become worried about Russian Army's concentration and have even urged Moscow to pull m back. However, Russia has argued that it's free to deploy its forces on its territory and sternly warned government in Kyiv against using force to reclaim control of rebel-held territory. 

Amid hostilities, France and Germany n helped broker a peace deal that was signed in February 2015 in Minsk. agreement helped end large-scale hostilities, however, sporic skirmishes have continued and efforts at a political settlement have stalled. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly pushed for revising Minsk deal but Russia has rejected calls.

Possible Normandy Four summit

Amid tensions over souast Ukraine, three leers asked ir political visors and foreign ministries to step up contacts and work in Normandy Four format, which also includes Ukraine. y also agreed to continue to use corresponding channels to look at a possibility to organize a Normandy summit if it is expedient, Kremlin said. Macron, Putin and Merkel also discussed some or international issues as well, including counter-terrorism efforts on African continent. 

Apart from that, Putin me "high-principled assessment of Kiev's policies of stubbornly dodging its obligations under Minsk Accords and agreements of previous Normandy-format summits, including one in Paris (December 9, 2019)," Kremlin said.

Meanwhile, according to TASS news agency, previously, Ukrainian President Vlimir Zelensky said that he h h a telephone conversation with Macron and Merkel to discuss issues of Donbass conflict settlement and preparations for a Normandy Four summit. Putin’s previous conversation with Macron and Merkel, on or hand, took place in videoconference format on 30 March. Russian President n expressed concern over Kyiv’s destabilising actions in Donbass.

(Image: AP)