Dates of Minsk talks on Donbass set

The presidents of Russia, Ukraine and France, Vladimir Putin, Petro Poroshenko, Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have agreed on the dates for the next meeting in Minsk. Tripartite contact group to resolve the situation in the Donbas will meet on 24 and 26 December, reports Interfax referring to the Kremlin press service.

Negotiators recognized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire in the east of Ukraine, removal of heavy weapons and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the population, urging parties of the conflict to move towards political dialogue. At the same time, leaders also called for more active exchange of prisoners and discuss other items on Minsk protocol.

The four leaders agreed to continue telephone consultations. It is known that during today's debate Poroshenko noted the need for the release of imprisoned in Russia Ukrainian pilot and MP Nadezhda Savchenko.

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