Germany continues to insist on holding elections in eastern Ukraine

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said this at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin on July 12, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

According to Merkel, the parties discussed the Minsk agreements, the fact that Ukraine is in a very problematic situation, and Germany and France play a special role here "as part of the annexation of Crimea (which was a shock for us, which we cannot accept) and, from our point of view, illegal separatist rule in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk."

"Unfortunately, with regard to the Minsk format, we have not been able to take enough steps," Merkel said. She recalled that the Ukrainian side was ready to open several new checkpoints on the contact line, which did not find the same support from "DPR/LPR" separatists.

At the same time, Merkel stressed the need to "incorporate the so-called Steinmeier formula into Ukrainian law." She reiterated that Germany wanted elections to be held in the Donbas.

Merkel acknowledged that Ukraine was under great pressure, including due to a great number of military exercises and the increasing presence of Russian troops on Ukraine's borders, actions in the Sea of Azov, etc.

Zelensky was on a working visit to Berlin on July 12.

op