Photo from UNIAN

German and French governments say the upcoming summit of the Normandy Four (Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France) leaders set to be held in Paris will contribute to a peaceful settlement in eastern Ukraine.

"We welcome the recent positive developments in the implementation of the Minsk Agreements and look forward to the next meeting in Normandy format in Paris, which should make progress in resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine," says the joint declaration signed following a meeting of the two governments in Toulouse Oct 16.

The sides also underlined their position that "the annexation of Crimea by Russia is illegal."

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The parties reaffirmed their commitment "to continue the dialogue with Russia on the basis of the common principles of the European Union, including arms control and non-proliferation."

As UNIAN reported earlier, on Sep 7, an exchange of held persons was carried out between Ukraine and Russia when 35 Ukrainian citizens were released from Russian captivity (including 24 POW sailors captured near the Kerch Strait Nov 25, 2018).

On Oct 4, a temporary detour bridge was opened in the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area in Donbas while the main bridge's damaged parts are now being dismantled.