REUTERS

The next steps toward resolving the conflict in Donbas should be the withdrawal of the illegal armed groups and the return of Ukraine's control over the state border, President Volodymyr Zelenksy told the UN General Assembly.

Over the past year, Ukraine has proved its desire to establish peace in Donbas and hopes for further unity and support of the international community in resolving the conflict peacefully, Zelensky noted, speaking at the general debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23.

The Ukrainian leader noted that a comprehensive ceasefire was enforced in Donbas on July 27, which, despite enemy attempts to disrupt it, gives hope for a sustainable "silence," the President's Office reported.

"The next steps on this path should be: withdrawal of illegal armed groups and weapons from the occupied territories, return of control over the state border and, finally, restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders," the president said.

Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that over the past year Ukraine had proved it is willing to achieve peace.

"We managed to unblock the dialogue, we resumed meetings of the leaders of the Normandy format countries, we made significant progress in the mutual release of detainees," the president said.

Read alsoCrimea invaders force locals to drop Ukrainian passports– envoy to UNThe president expressed gratitude to Ukraine's international partners for helping and supporting the country in the peaceful settlement of the Donbas conflict.

"We look forward to further unity of the international community on this issue. I am convinced that the UN should play an important role in restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the authority of international law," Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Donbas ceasefire: Background

  • Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday, July 27.
  • The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27.
  • On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period.