Zelensky, Merkel by phone discuss ways of intensifying Donbas peaceful settlement
KYIV. July 16 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday, during which the interlocutors discussed the ways of stepping up the peaceful settlement of the Donbas crisis and several other issues.
"The results of the recent meeting between diplomatic advisors in the Normandy format in Paris that should boost the activity of the Trilateral Contact Group were stressed as positive. The Ukrainian president and the German federal chancellor highlighted the need of reaching some progress soon in freeing Ukrainian hostages and political prisoners, as well as the completion of the disengagement of the forces and military hardware in Stanytsia Luhanska, in particular, by the removal of fortifications and carrying out mine clearance efforts," the Ukrainian presidential website said on Tuesday evening.
Zelensky and Merkel also discussed further provision of the gas transit via Ukraine, it said.
The interlocutors focused on the prospects of pursuing bilateral investment projects.