Minsk meeting on Feb 11 is one of last chances to declare ceasefire in eastern Ukraine - Poroshenko
KYIV. Feb 10 (Interfax) - A meeting in the Normandy format in Minsk on February 11 will be one of the last chances to declare an unconditional ceasefire in the eastern part of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.
"Tomorrow's meeting in Minsk is one of the last chances to declare an unconditional ceasefire and withdraw heavy artillery," the Ukrainian presidential press service quoted Poroshenko as saying at a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo y Marfil on Tuesday.
Poroshenko mentioned close coordination of Ukraine's efforts with those of Germany and France to prepare and hold the meeting in the Normandy format in Minsk on Wednesday.
He suggested it is impossible to achieve progress in settling the crisis amid ongoing rocket attacks, like the one that took place in Kramatorsk on Tuesday.
The Spanish foreign minister pointed out in reply that his country favored the European Union's unity in its solidarity with Ukraine.
"You may count on us. We will never recognize any steps going against your country's constitution," he said.
Spain is ready for economic cooperation with Ukraine, the Spanish minister said. "We know how high the political cost of the reforms is, and they are necessary. You are currently leading the most pro-reformist team in Ukraine's history. We fully support you," he said.
In this context, Poroshenko pointed out to importance of the fact that, along with the Spanish foreign minister, Ukraine was being visited by a group of Spanish business people. "This is precisely what we expect in this difficult time. Ukraine is interested in and is promising for business," he said.