President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian, on which issues of non-recognition of presidential elections in the occupied Crimea, the situation in Donbas, prospects for the deployment of the UN peacekeeping mission and the continuation of reforms in Ukraine were raised.
“President of Ukraine had a meeting with Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian,” the message posted on the presidential website on March 22 evening, reads.
The president of Ukraine expressed gratitude for the continued support of France for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as for its clear position regarding the non-recognition of the Russian presidential elections in the territory of the Ukrainian Crimea.
“The parties discussed the situation in Donbas, in particular, the prospects for the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission that would cover the entire occupied territory, including the Ukrainian-Russian border area,” the message reads.
The parties agreed with the importance of implementing the security conditions of the Minsk agreements and continuing the work in the Normandy format. The interlocutors also supported the necessity of extending the regime of sanctions against Russia until the full restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Particular attention was paid to the issues of bilateral cooperation, implementation of projects in the field of military-technical and economic cooperation with the financial support of France.
Special attention was also paid to continuing the course of reforms in Ukraine with the support of the EU, including France. Poroshenko reiterated the invitation to the president of France to visit Ukraine in the near future.
