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Poroshenko stressed the deteriorating situation in Donbas, especially the shelling near Avdiyivka, which poses a real obstacle to reaching any progress in a peaceful settlement of the crisis, according to the press service of the Ukrainian president. process.

The parties agreed that a drastic de-escalation and complete ceasefire are needed to continue the political dialogue.

The Ukrainian president said that, in order to achieve it, Russia must withdraw its troops from the occupied part of Ukraine and stop supplying weapons and mercenaries. The president also drew attention to the need to restore control over the Ukrainian-Russian border.

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Read alsoNuland: U.S. won't recognize Donbas elections outside Minsk frameworkThe leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany and Russia have expressed support for the deployment of the OSCE police mission in Donbas and the beginning of consultations on this issue.

During the talks, the need was also noted for full implementation of the Minsk agreements, including the creation of security conditions for the holding of local elections in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the Ukrainian legislation and the norms of ODIHR/OSCE.

Read alsoParties to Donbas conflict cannot agree on number of armed police missionPoroshenko called on Russia to release all Ukrainian hostages, including Nadia Savchenko, Hennadiy Afanasiev and Yuri Soloshenko.

Ukrainian President also called unacceptable the continued violation of the human rights of the Crimean Tatar people in the Russian-occupied Crimea, calling on Russia to stop persecution and release all political prisoners immediately.