Lavrov, Maas discuss consolidation of Steinmeier formula in Donbas settlement process
MOSCOW. Sept 19 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas have discussed the implementation of agreements on Ukraine, including the consolidation of the Steinmeier formula, in a telephone conversation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
"The ministers continued to discuss ways to implement the decisions of the Normandy-format summits in Paris and Berlin in 2015-2016 concerning the consolidation of the Steinmeier formula and disengagement in the pilot areas in Petrivske and Zolote," the ministry said in a statement posted on its website.
Lavrov and Maas "considered the situation after the Kyiv delegation at the Trilateral Contact Group meeting in Minsk on September 18 disrupted the coordination of the relevant proposals approved previously at a meeting between the advisors to the leaders of the Normandy-format countries," the statement said.
"The parties agreed to maintain close contact to ensure the unconditional implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures for a settlement in Ukraine," it said.
"Lavrov also warmly wished Maas a happy birthday, which is today," the statement said.