10:50 14.02.2015

Danger of Ukraine crisis escalation still in place following Minsk II - Poroshenko

2 min read
Danger of Ukraine crisis escalation still in place following Minsk II - Poroshenko

The danger of the escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine has not vanished following the Normandy Quartet talks in Minsk, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.

"Despite the fact that it's been possible to secure a ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons, there is the danger of conflict escalation," the Ukrainian presidential press service quoted Poroshenko as saying at a meeting with Latvian Saeima Speaker Inara Murniece on Friday.

Poroshenko thanked Latvia for a strong position of solidarity in support of Ukraine and stressed the importance of joint efforts of Ukraine and the EU countries for making Russia fulfill its declared commitments including the liberation of all hostages and detained persons. The president once again mentioned the need to free Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko who is kept in Russian prison.

The Latvian parliament speaker stressed that her country was not going to revise its position within the EU policy on Russia, the press service said.

The parties discussed the next Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga, at which the decision on a visa-free regime for Ukraine is expected. The president has emphasized that Ukraine had fulfilled all its technical tasks. Now, a political decision should be made, which will provide an opportunity for Ukrainians to travel to the EU without a visa, he said.

"Despite war, despite difficult conditions, Ukraine has fulfilled its commitments and counts on the support. The introduction of the visa-free regime for Ukraine would be a good example for other Eastern Partnership states," Poroshenko said.

Murniece assured Poroshenko of Latvia's solidarity and unity with Ukraine. "What applies to Ukraine, can also be applied to Latvia," she said.

Latvia offered assistance in the implementation of reforms and expressed readiness to share its experience, she added.

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