Poroshenko, Merkel discuss elections, peacekeeping mission and release of hostages

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had a phone conversation with Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, the president’s press service reported on Monday evening.

During the talk, Angela Merkel congratulated Petro Poroshenko on reaching the second round of the presidential elections. She also noted the fairness and competitiveness of the electoral process in Ukraine, the press service reported.

In addition, the parties discussed further steps, in particular, as part of the Normandy format, aimed to implement the Minsk agreements, release the Kremlin's hostages and realize the initiative on deploying a UN peacekeeping mission in the territories of occupied Donbas.

President Poroshenko thanked the German leader for her special attention to the situation in Ukraine.

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