REUTERS

According to the U.S. State Department's Special Representative on Ukraine negotiations, Kurt Volker, the United States is ready to help stop the fighting in Donbas but Russia has to choose peace.

“Yesterday was the anniversary of the signing of the Minsk Package of Measures - three years later there is still a hot war. The U.S. is ready to help end the fighting, but Russia has to choose peace.” Kurt Volker wrote on Twitter Tuesday, Feb 13.

Read alsoVolker tells of "very detailed" discussion with Surkov on peacekeepers in DonbasUNIAN memo. On February 12, 2015, negotiations were held in Minsk to resolve the Donbas crisis. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, French President François Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in negotiations.

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The talks saw a set of measures aimed at the implementation of the September Minsk accords being approved. In addition, a declaration was adopted by the four leaders in support of said measures.

Among other things, the agreements reached by the Normandy Four provide for a cease-fire in the east of Ukraine and removal of all heavy weapons from the Ukrainian territory. The exchange and release of all hostages is also envisaged as well as the holding of local elections in Donbas.