U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Ukraine: Only Putin can take real steps to end war in Donbas

The negotiations at all platforms, including Minsk, should be used to find ways to end the war in Donbas, but the real steps to finish the armed conflict can be taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Ukraine, the Minsk [Trilateral Contact] Group, the United States - all want to find a way out of this war on terms favorable for Ukraine. The way to do this is to continue negotiations in Minsk, at some other platforms. The final decision is up to Mr Putin, of course. It is he who can take real steps to end this war. Our task is to keep putting pressure to make Russians agree to finish this war," U.S. Chargé d'Affaires a.i. in Ukraine William Taylor told reporters, a Ukrinform correspondent reports.

When asked about the possibility of holding a next meeting between US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker and Russian President’s aide Vladislav Surkov, Taylor noted that the US diplomat addressed the Russian side on the subject.

"They exchange views on when it will be possible to continue the dialogue," the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires a.i. in Ukraine said.

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