26 Jul 2019 17:12

Zelensky, U.S. reps hope Donbas truce enacted on July 21 to be comprehensive, permanent

KYIV. July 26 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker and U.S. Representative to the European Union Gordon Sondland have discussed the current situation in the area of Kyiv's Joint Forces Operation in Donbas, including the disengagement of forces and military hardware near Stanytsia Luhanska.

"The sides expressed hope that the ceasefire enacted on July 21 will be comprehensive and permanent and all armed provocations on the part of the occupied territories will cease once and for all," the Ukrainian presidential press service said on Friday.

The participants in the meeting also reiterated the need for the authorities of the self-proclaimed republics to take earlier agreed mutual steps that will help successfully complete the disengagement of forces and improve the humanitarian situation along the contact line.

Zelensky, in turn, thanked the U.S. for its consistent support of Ukraine and efforts intended to help achieve a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Donbas.