Poroshenko, Tillerson agree on algorithm for advancing Minsk process

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told this to reporters after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Sunday.

"And this is one of the key and overriding components of our today meetings that we have agreed on the cooperation and algorithm of our intention to move forward along the route of the Minsk process," Poroshenko said.

The head of state stressed Ukraine's clear commitment to the peace process. "We are determined to peaceful process, and most than anything else we strive for peace. We clearly observe all obligations undertaken under Minsk agreements, and we count on the support of our partners in the United States of America in the Normandy format, and we rely on the sober understanding of the situation in Russia," he said.

Poroshenko said that Russia must demonstrate its goodwill to the peaceful settlement in Donbas.

"We are confident that Russia must demonstrate its goodwill to the peaceful settlement in Donbas and will stop killings, will stop the war, will stop hybrid attacks not only in the east of our country, not only in Crimea, but would improve the situation with cyber crime and propaganda and other trade and economic wars, which is a part of the Russian hybrid war," he said.

The head of state also said that "if Moscow does not want to waste the chance, I am confident that it should join the logics observed by all the members of the Normandy format."

"First, the stable, reliable, and lasting ceasefire; second, the withdrawal of all occupational troops from the Ukrainian soil; third, stop intimidating international observers and to count on the OSCE that they will be frightened and will leave Ukraine, these dangerous precedents and we will not allow that to happen again; fourth, this is to ensure the reliable control of the uncontrolled border between Ukraine and Russia and the confrontation line to ensure the lasting ceasefire and peace; and fifth, from the security component is the release of all hostages illegally taken in the occupied territory as well as in Russian presence," Poroshenko said.

"We are confident that the fulfillment of these – and I underscore these minimum requirements on security – would enable the peaceful process which wants the only thing – the political will of Moscow," he said.