German Foreign Minister: Normandy Four format will not expand
The “Normandy Four” format will not grow to accomodate the US, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel announced at the Munich Security Conference.
According to him, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has agreed to maintain close contact with the “Four”, although there was no talk of expanding the format.
The participants of the meeting – Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany – also came to the conclusion that implementation of the Minsk Agreements is the only way out of the conflict in the Donbas. Dialogue between the four countries is needed to facilitate the peace process.
“We need to meet as often as is necessary in order to discuss a ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, and the fulfillment of other obligations,” noted French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.
In addition, the ministers agreed to give specialists of the International Committee of the Red Cross access to Eastern Ukraine for half a month. The committee will facilitate a prisoner exchange.