President Poroshenko and Vice President Biden: Russia must fully implement the Minsk agreements

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Vice President of the United States Joseph Biden highlighted the necessity of full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

According to the President, major part of negotiations was devoted to the implementation of the Minsk agreements, coordination of actions on security, humanitarian, social, economic and political settlement in Donbas. “Unfortunately, we cannot say that there is a de-escalation in Donbas,” Petro Poroshenko noted.

The President thanked for the firm and consistent support for the position of Ukraine that Russia must implement the Minsk agreements, which is the only way to ensure peace in Ukraine and restore Ukrainian sovereignty over the occupied territories.

The President emphasized that it had been the fourth visit of Vice President Biden in the last two years. A year ago, in the course of the last visit, there was a real war in Donbas. Today, the intensity of shelling was reduced significantly. “Unfortunately, war is continued. Today, we had 14 occasions of mortar shelling that injured 8 Ukrainian servicemen,” the President said. “In conditions of constant violations of the ceasefire regime by Russia, we have discussed future actions to ensure full implementation of the Minsk agreements by Russia and Russia-backed militants,” Petro Poroshenko informed.

Speaking of the conflict in Donbas, the U.S. Vice President stated: “USA supports Ukraine in countering Russian aggression and pro-Russian separatists. We are convinced that a solution to the conflict will depend on diplomatic work based on strict compliance with the Minsk agreements by the two parties. Minsk will not succeed, unless Russia fulfills its obligations,” Joseph Biden said.

The Head of State underlined that the parties had also paid special attention to the issues of Crimea. “To the protection of rights and interests of Crimean Tatars who are facing ominous pressure by the occupation authorities, protection of rights of Ukrainian citizens and return of Crimea to Ukraine through political and diplomatic means,” the President noted.

The U.S. Vice President emphasized “the U.S. doesn’t forget about Crimea, illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea and violation of the international law”. “In no circumstances shall we accept that. And so will the international community. It is the occupation of the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Crimea is a sovereign territory of Ukraine,” Joseph Biden said.

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