22:57 25.09.2014

G7 foreign ministers welcome continuation of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and EU

2 min read

G7 foreign ministers say they welcome that the trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the EU will continue to settle the Ukrainian crisis, the Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and High Representative of the European Union said in a joint statement on Ukraine.

"We welcome that the trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the EU will continue. It is equally important to continue the discussions between Russia, Ukraine and the EU on resolving outstanding energy issues," the statement reads.

"We stand united in the expectation that this crisis will be solved with respect for international law, and Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence," the ministers said.

They also welcomed the Minsk agreements of and September 5 and September 19 as an important step towards a sustainable, mutually agreed ceasefire, noting that "the ceasefire agreement offers an important opportunity to find a durable political solution to the conflict."

Yet, they again expressed their continued grave concern on the situation in eastern Ukraine and condemned the ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement.

"Russia must immediately meet its own commitments of the Minsk agreement, including by withdrawing all of its forces, weapons and equipment from Ukraine; securing and respecting the international border between the two countries with OSCE monitoring; and ensuring that all hostages are released," the statement reads.

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