Normandy-format meeting depends on Russia, realistic in November - Ukrainian FM
KYIV. Nov 1 (Interfax) - Whether a Normandy-format meeting (Ukraine, Germany, France, and Russia) will be held in the near future largely depends on Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said.
"Currently, [the Normandy-format meeting] actually largely depends on the Russian side. We are implementing the agreements that were reached. Effectively, there are two: recognizing the Steinmeier formula as a way of solving this complicated issue, and disengagement at three sites. Today, we are close to disengaging at the last site, so in principle we will create all necessary conditions," Prystaiko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday.
The continued shelling shows that the other side is not keen on progress, because this is the last step prior to a Normandy-format meeting, he said.
At the same time, a meeting in this format minus Russia is possible in the near future, he said.
"Readiness to meet in the near future depends on Russia. You can see now from its rhetoric that we will meet soon after all," Prystaiko said.
It is realistic to hold such a meeting in November, he said.
Earlier on Friday Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk said that Kyiv would postpone disengagement in Petrivske due to the attacks of October 30.