Ukraine in Arabic | Russian president: Donbass is the integral region of Ukraine
KYIV/Ukraine in Arabic/ During meetings in Milan, Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear that Russia does not want eastern Ukraine to turn into another Transnistria, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said Friday.
“President Putin made it clear that he does not want the creation of another Transnistria and that the Donbas region is an integral part of Ukraine,” the official said.
"Of course, we will not hide it, there were differences of view regarding various aspects. And more meetings will take place this afternoon to address these questions. But it is also important to note that President Putin made it clear that he does not want the creation of another Transnistria and that the Donbas region is an integral part of Ukraine," he said, describing this meeting format as "Normandy plus. "
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, in turn, said that the EU side had stressed the need for full implementation of the ceasefire regime and the Minsk agreements.
"I believe the meeting was constructive. Serious implementation is now key so that trust can be restored and consolidated," Barroso said.
He also thanked ASEM partners for supporting an integral and sovereign Ukraine.
Van Rompuy, in turn, said that at this stage there was no political decision to settle the situation in the east of Ukraine and also stressed the need for further implementation of peace initiatives.
"We agreed on the need to bring back peace and stability to Eastern Ukraine. To this effect it is essential that we ensure implementation of the Minsk agreements, in particular as regards the cease fire, border control and the holding of elections. The key word was implementation, implementation, implementation," he said.
As reported, on Friday, Milan hosted a meeting between Poroshenko and Putin involving the leaders of Italy, Germany, France, Britain, as well as the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.