FM Kuleba outlines priority scenario for settling situation in Donbas

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba made a corresponding statement in an interview with Turkish TV channel TRT Russian.

Answering a question about Ukraine's readiness for the military scenario if the political process fails, the minister noted: “When you have a neighbor like Russia, you have to be ready for any scenario. You know that we did not attack Russia. It was Russia who attacked Ukraine. But a diplomatic solution remains an absolute top priority for Ukraine, and we are looking for ways to make sure that we find a solution within this framework.”

It is in the interests of Ukraine and Europe to have sanctions against Russia in place until Moscow implements its obligations under the Minsk agreements, Kuleba added.

At the same time, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine said that the Trilateral Contact Group for the settlement of the situation in Donbas “is instrumental and can deliver” but noted that “every deliverable costs a lot of pain and effort.”

“Trilateral Contact Group is a burden you have to bear until it brings us to peace ... It’s a heavy duty... It’s never easy to work in the Trilateral Contact Group," the minister said.

According to Dmytro Kuleba, the main recent achievement of the TCG is the adoption of conditions for comprehensive ceasefire, "which has lasted six weeks in a row, and we have not a single soldier who has been killed or wounded in action."

As reported, the Trilateral Contact Group agreed on July 22 to establish a full and comprehensive ceasefire in Donbas from July 27.

In particular, it was agreed to ban offensive and reconnaissance operations, use of fire, including sniper fire, and to apply disciplinary measures for ceasefire violations.

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