REUTERS

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in a phone talk with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called on Russia to fully implement the Minsk agreements.

"High Representative/Vice-President Borrell also informed Minister Lavrov of the agreement among EU Foreign Ministers to continue the current approach to EU-Russia relations, whereby the full implementation of the Minsk agreements remains key. He called on Russia to fully implement the Minsk agreements," according to a press release following the phone talk.

Read alsoMinsk agreements should be "more flexible", Ukrainian leader suggestsIt is noted the High Representative reiterated that the European Union wishes to maintain open channels of communication with Russia and to enhance cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

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"The European Union will continue to defend its interests and values, including respect for international law and fundamental rights," reads the report.

Minsk agreements: Background

  • Peace talks on Donbas, eastern Ukraine, were held in Minsk on February 12, 2015. The participants were the then President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, the then French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
  • As a result of the negotiations, a set of measures aimed at implementing the Minsk agreements reached in September 2014 was approved. In addition, a declaration was adopted by the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, and Russia in support of these measures.
  • Among other things, the agreements reached by the Normandy Four leaders provide for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, the withdrawal of all heavy weapons from Ukrainian territory, the exchange and release of all hostages, as well as the holding of local elections in Donbas.