Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that Ukraine is not ready for any dialogue with "separatists" but willing to work in the Minsk talks format to bring about peace in Donbas.

This is how Zelensky reacted to a phrase about "talks to separatists" said by French President Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing following their meeting in Paris on Monday.

"I think a little mistake has been made now. We are not ready for dialogue with separatists. That's right, because I heard translation. We are ready to act in the Minsk format, to continue relationships within the Minsk format and ready to cease fire. I have declared this many times," Zelensky said.

Macron, in particular, said that France is ready to back the Ukrainian president in his intention to restore peace in eastern Ukraine and hold talks with Russia.

"President [Volodymyr] Zelensky said that a priority of his mandate is to restore peace and silence the guns, embark on the path of talks with separatists, which have already started, and we want to return to the Minsk format so as to bring the country back to peace. I can assure you that I am ready to support you, Mr. President, in this intention and also in the dialogue with Russia," Macron said at the joint briefing.