Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his French counterpart Francois Hollande have reiterated their refusal to recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, and they spoke on the importance of Russia observing the Minsk agreements dated February 12, 2015.

"Based on the conclusions of the European Council as of March 19, 2015, the Ukrainian and French presidents don't recognize and continue to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia. France has expressed its constant support of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders," reads a joint statement by two presidents, which was posted on Poroshenko's website on Wednesday.

Poroshenko and Hollande said that "the duration of sanctions against Russia must be clearly defined by a complete observance of the Minsk agreements in accordance with the conclusions of European Council as of March 19."

They also expressed their support of the OSCE and its role in realization of the Minsk agreements, and Poroshenko thanked Hollande for his efforts as part of the Normandy quartet.