Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with French President Hollande, German Chancellor Merkel, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to discuss implementation of the Minsk accords to further the peace process in East Ukraine.
“The Normandy Four leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Minsk accords in the field of security and political aspects of peace settlement,” said the Russian Presidential Press Service. “They welcomed the agreement on resumption of the Easter ceasefire that was reached on March 29 at a meeting of the Contact Group (for settling the conflict in Ukraine) and stressed the importance of its strict observance.”
“The leaders called for stepping up the efforts to resolve the problem of prisoners along the all-for-all formula,” reported Russian state news agency TASS.
The region has been inflamed in renewed violence as both sides jockey for position and for leverage with the new Trump administration. The White House has not yet released a firm position on the conflict although it has heavily criticized Russia in recent weeks.
