Prystaiko outlines priorities for next Normandy format meeting

"At the next Normandy format meeting, which we schedule for April as agreed by the leaders when they last met in December, we will discuss a wide range of issues. At the last meeting, it was possible to agree on seven main positions but the issue of the border was not discussed. But this is exactly how President Zelensky raises the issue,” Prystaiko said on the air of the Freedom of Speech TV program on ICTV channel, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He noted that one of the first suggestions put forward by the Ukrainian side to the Russian Federation at the last Normandy format meeting was the creation of a special working group to deal with the restoration of full Ukraine’s control over the border.

"As of today, such a group has not yet been established, which is why President Zelensky, as last time, will insist that this issue be considered and remain a priority," the foreign minister emphasized.

When asked by the presenter who should control the Ukraine-Russia border, Prystaiko replied that the Ukrainian border should be controlled by the Ukrainian border guards and "this is a fundamental position that we must reach."

Other priorities include the ceasefire in Donbas, next prisoner exchange, the access for the Red Cross representatives to the territory not controlled by Ukraine.

Prystaiko noted that progress since the last Normandy format meeting had been made only in the issue of a prisoner exchange and added that the next exchange was planned to be held before the next Normandy Four meeting.

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