With no sign improvement of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, President Petro Poroshenko is continuing his diplomatic tour of Europe to call
ADVERTISEMENTWith no sign improvement of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, President Petro Poroshenko is continuing his diplomatic tour of Europe to call for renewed support for the Minsk peace accords.
Poroshenko kicked off his tour on Monday in Berlin, meeting the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and the French President, Francois Hollande.
On Thursday Poroshenko met with top EU officials in Brussels, including the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.
“The Russians don’t seem to be fulfilling their engagements as they should be”, said Junker. “Peace and stability in Ukraine must come through the implementation of the Minsk accords.”
Speaking to the press Poroshenko ruled out any change in the negotiating format. He was also asked about including Russian President Vladimir Putin in a possible third Minsk accord.
“It is very important to coordinate the efforts of Ukraine with France and Germany”, said Poroshenko. “They are not only the biggest countries in the EU but they represent now the whole of the European Union. So there will be no Minsk-3.”
Underlining the importance of diplomacy Poroshenko also confirmed that seven Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and 13 wounded in the previous 24 hours as clashes continued in the east of the country.