Putin: It is Important to Fulfill Decision on Long-Term Ceasefire in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was important to fulfil the decision on the need for a long-term ceasefire reached by the foreign ministers of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine in Berlin on Wednesday and on holding a next meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine no later than on July 5, the Kremlin press service reported on Thursday.

 “Results of the meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine in Berlin on July 2 and a joint statement they agreed on were assessed positively. Notably, the president noted that it was important to fulfil the statement’s provision on the need for a long-term ceasefire contained in the statement and on holding a next meeting of Contact Group on Ukraine no later than on July 5,” the Kremlin noted.

In talks with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President said he was deeply concerned about growing casualties among civilians and a sharp rise in the number of refugees from south-east Ukraine, the Kremlin added.

The leaders of Russia, Germany and France have called for a more active OSCE role to monitor the situation in the conflict zone in Ukraine, the Kremlin press service said.

ITAR- TASS

R.S