Poroshenko, Merkel during phone talk stress importance of Ukrainian hostages release by year-end

President Petro Poroshenko had a phone conversation with Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, during which they discussed the importance of the liberation of Ukrainian hostages by the end of the year, the president’s press service reports. 

“Petro Poroshenko and Angela Merkel emphasized the importance of the implementation of decisions that will lead to the liberation of Ukrainian hostages by the end of the year,” reads a report.

The parties also supported the agreement reached within the recent session of the Trilateral Contact Group on December 20 regarding the comprehensive, sustainable and perpetual ceasefire regime starting from midnight of December 23 due to Christmas and New Year holidays.

The state leaders expressed regret over Russia's decision to unilaterally withdraw its representatives from the Joint Control and Coordination Center for the Ceasefire in the Donbas. They also discussed steps aimed at restoring the full-fledged work of the JCCC.

President Petro Poroshenko also informed that the issue of the anticorruption court creation had been unlocked.

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