Volker: US to keep pressure on Russia to reach fulfillment of Minsk agreements

"We are very closely coordinating our efforts with France and Germany, which are the members of the Normandy format, in order to facilitate the implementation of the Minsk agreements. We have not seen effective ceasefire, we have not seen withdrawal of Russian forces, withdrawal of illegal armed formations that Russia created there," U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker said at a telephonic press conference on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He emphasized that the Minsk agreements "remain the basis" for resolving the conflict, restoring Ukraine's control over the occupied territory, as well as establishing peace and security in the region. In this regard, he stressed that the U.S., together with its allies in Europe, would continue coordination to achieve the implementation of the Minsk peace accords.

Volker also reminded that Moscow had unleashed the armed aggression against Ukraine almost five years ago. However, Russia still denies the fact that it occupies the Ukrainian territories and only incites the conflict.

In addition, the U.S. Special Representative drew attention to the fact that the Russian side blocked access to humanitarian assistance to the residents of the occupied territories.