In Kiev, Zelensky and Merkel discussed the situation in Donbass and Nord Stream 2

At the Mariinsky Palace in Kiev, negotiations were held between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. After that, they took part in a press conference, the broadcast of which leads “Present time”.

“Today we discussed a lot of issues, in particular about the risks and the scale of threats to which we must respond. We are counting on Germany, which we consider to be one of our key allies in Europe, ”the President of Ukraine said at a press conference.

He thanked the German side for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbass and non-recognition of Russia’s attempt to annex Crimea, transfers UNIAN. “The priority topic of our talks was the process of peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbass. It is important that within the framework of the “Normandy format” Ukraine, Germany and France have a consolidated position on the peace plan, which should be based on clusters, “the president said.

These clusters imply a phased settlement of the conflict. “We strive to achieve a permanent and sustainable ceasefire, the exchange of detainees, the opening of checkpoints (checkpoints of entry and exit) from the temporarily occupied territories and the long-awaited access to the temporarily occupied territories of representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross,” Zelensky said.

According to him, the position on the need to hold a summit of the Normandy Four is unchanged, and while there is no progress on this issue, pressure on Russia should be maintained.

The second important issue in the negotiations was Nord Stream 2 and energy security. “We view this project exclusively through the prism of security and consider it a dangerous geopolitical weapon from the Kremlin. In accordance with the Association Agreement, we have initiated consultations with the European Commission and the German government in the near future, ”Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

According to him, even now, when Nord Stream 2 has not yet been completed, “we see who controls gas prices in Europe.” The President believes that the completion of the pipeline “will only play into the hands of the Russian Federation.”

According to the head of state, he also exchanged views with Angela Merkel on the situation in Afghanistan. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kiev evacuated 162 people from there, including 36 citizens of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Germany for the decision to transfer 1.5 million vaccines against COVID-19 to Ukraine.

This is the last visit of Angela Merkel as chancellor to Ukraine. It is already known that she will not take part in two important events for Kiev – the “Crimean Platform” on August 23 and the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day on August 24. Press Secretary of the President of Ukraine Sergei Nikiforov noted that Merkel was invited to them.

Before her trip to Kiev, German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Moscow, where held meeting with Vladimir Putin.