Merkel, Putin discuss implementation of Minsk agreements

"The participants of the conversation welcomed the agreement reached at the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group to consolidate the ceasefire during the upcoming Christmas holidays and expressed hope that this could lead to a long-term truce in the east of Ukraine," the press service of the Chancellor informed after the talk on Thursday.

The Chancellor and the Russian president stressed the importance of reaching an agreement on the exchange of prisoners, which should be held as soon as possible as an important step in the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

In addition, they discussed the role of Ukrainian and Russian officers in the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination (JCCC) for the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the support of the OSCE SMM. The Chancellor stressed the importance of preserving the working capacity of this center.

The interlocutors agreed to find "solutions to some open questions" so that Russian officers could return to the JCCC.

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