Flag Format Normandie
Source: RSR, Jedi Foster
" We are pleased to have met today with President Zelenskiy in Kiev during this first joint visit, which has reaffirmed the support of France and Germany to Ukraine in a period of great challenges for country. In particular, we expressed our deep commitment to the continuation of the reform process, while Ukrainian citizens continue to express strong expectations in this area. France and Germany remain strongly mobilized in favor of resolving the conflict in the east of Ukraine and restoring the territorial integrity of Ukraine throughout its territory. We welcome the reaffirmation by President Zelenskiy of the priority given to peacemaking and his commitment to the Minsk agreements and the Normandy format framework to reach a negotiated solution with Russia.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We expressed to President Zelenskiy our willingness to give new impetus to the negotiations, five years after the beginning of a conflict that has caused more than 13,000 deaths and whose civilian populations continue to be the victims. We also raised the issue of the Kerch Strait incident, which showed last November that the risks of destabilization were still significant. That is why we have also met the families of sailors imprisoned by Russia since November in violation of international law, in order to show our support for these families who face the test of absence of their loved ones. France and Germany will continue to demand the unconditional release of the entire crew, as they have done for several months, and as demanded by the International Maritime Tribunal on 25 May.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is now more important than ever for Russia to show political will and responsibility, to restore an atmosphere of trust between the parties rather than sharpen tensions. Gestures are expected from Russia, and in particular the immediate release of 24 sailors illegally detained since 25 November. Germany and France stand alongside the parties to help restore constructive talks. Discussions will continue soon with the parties, especially to meet the conditions for the holding of a summit of heads of state or government in Normandy format." Joint declaration of both French and German Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Jean Yves le Drian and Heiko Maas, about the situation in Ukraine in respect of the Format Normandie future summit. Source French Diplomacy
