President Volodymyr Zelensky on Oct. 11 held a video conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss further steps towards achieving peace in eastern Ukraine.
The conflict in Donbas began in 2014 and has claimed close to 14,000 lives, with no clear end in sight. Despite the latest ceasefire agreement, near daily violations by Russian-sponsored forces have injured and claimed the lives of over 60 Ukrainian soldiers.
A day after the meetings, on Oct. 12, President Zelensky spoke at the 23rd EU-Ukraine Summit. He dedicated a part of the event to address the conflict and its perpetrator, the Russian Federation, which continues to deny involvement.
“Together with the EU, we are united about the fact that the responsibility for the lack of progress in a peaceful settlement in Donbas lies entirely with the Russian Federation, which is undoubtedly a party to the conflict,” Zelensky said.
The meeting focused on proposals for potential peace agreements that could be considered at the meeting and the preparations for the next Normandy Format Summit, which currently does not have a concrete date.
“[I] Had an important conversation with Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron on intensifying negotiations to end the war in Donbas and preparing for the Normandy Four Summit. Ukraine, France, and Germany stand for agreeing on coordinated successive steps that will ensure peace,” Zelensky stated after the meeting, via a Twitter post.
Zelensky informed the German and French leaders of the current situation in Donbas, as well as the efforts that Ukraine made to establish peace in the region.
Macron and Merkel commended Ukraine for taking important steps towards resolving the conflict and assured they will continue to strive for a peaceful resolution.
All participants stressed the importance of adhering to the commitments set out during the 2019 Summit and agreed that the state of their implementation must be discussed in detail.
After the meeting President Macron and Chancellor Merkel conducted a joint telephone meeting with President Vladimir Putin, where he accused Ukraine of failing to meet agreements set at the 2019 Normandy Four Summit.
The Kremlin stated that the leaders agreed to consider organizing a summit on the issue in the Normandy Four format. While the statement did not mention Ukraine, France insisted that Ukraine should take part in the meeting. The meeting concluded with all leaders agreeing to “intensify their contacts and work”.
