Berlin, Jan. 16 – German Chancellor Angela Merkel "remains open" to participating in a "Normandy format" meeting (Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France) on Ukraine, on the condition that the ceasefire is observed and heavy weaponry is withdrawn from Donbas.
According to the German chancellor’s spokesman, Steffen Seibert, Merkel is ready for such a meeting, which is being prepared in Kazakhstan, but only if real progress is made in settling the conflict in Donbas.
In particular, the German chancellor insists on the observation of the ceasefire, as people are dying every day, and the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the region.
German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sawsan Chebli said that preparations for a meeting in Astana continue.
The Kazakh presidential press service had previously reported that a meeting between the Ukrainian, Russian, German, and French leaders in Astana was scheduled for the end of January.
