Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have had a phone call to discuss preparations for a Normandy Four summit, a meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, Germany, France, and Russia.
"The heads of state discussed preparations for a meeting in the Normandy format," the press service of Zelensky's Office said on the presidential website on October 30.
The Ukrainian president also updated his German counterpart on the security situation in Donbas, noting the importance of Germany's support of Ukraine.
Angela Merkel, in turn, expressed support for Ukraine's efforts to bring peace to Donbas and welcomed the progress made in the disengagement of forces and weapons near the town of Zolote in Luhansk region. "Prospects for [further] disengagement near the village of Petrivske – after a seven-day ceasefire – were also discussed," the press service said.
What is more, the parties discussed the issue of transit shipments of Russian natural gas via Ukraine, in particular in the context of trilateral consultations held by the European Commission, Ukraine and Russia in Brussels on October 28.
Zelensky and Merkel agreed on the need for increased interaction in that direction, the press service said.
