Envoys of U.S., Germany, France to hold consultations on Normandy format soon
News Line
Ukraine reports 5,276 new COVID-19 cases Zelensky: Every third Ukrainian considers road construction one of greatest achievements of 2021 Ukraine ready to implement Minsk agreements, but Russia's desire needed - Yermak Michel: EU unanimously agree to roll over economic sanctions against Russia Actions by Ukraine's partners will help prevent worst-case scenario - Zelensky COVID-19 in Ukraine: Health officials confirm 8,899 daily cases as of Dec 17 Macron tells Zelensky he declared support for Ukraine in call with Putin Zelensky, Scholz discuss gas transit through Ukraine after 2024 Ukraine ready for any format of talks with Russia - Zelensky Ukraine’s only journalist in Russia facing extremism charges - lawyer PM Shmyhal: First two applications for investment projects worth $96 million filed Zelensky, PM of Italy discuss security situation around Ukraine President signs off State Budget 2022 London considering all options for responding to Russia's aggression against Ukraine Putin, Biden to hold another round of talks Some 260,000 Ukrainians “victims of human trafficking” over 30 years - prosecutor general Ukraine plans to create center to protect energy infrastructure from cyber attacks No clear idea so far when Normandy Four top diplomats set to meet - German Ambassador Ukraine receives EUR 600M in macro-financial assistance from EU Zelensky holds phone conversation with PM of Israel Ukraine sets new daily COVID vaccination record MFA: European Union has not yet removed Ukraine from list of safe countries Kyiv records 1,023 new COVID-19 cases, 29 deaths G7 ambassadors welcome adoption of law on NABU status Ukraine can increase Covid vaccination rates to 1.5M a week – Liashko

Representatives of the United States, Germany, France plan to soon hold consultations on the Normandy format, involving Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia. U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker told the Voice of America's Ukrainian service that he is in close contact with European partners, and the next round of the consultations should be held in the coming week.

After four Ukrainian soldiers were killed in action amid the so-called "harvest" ceasefire in Donbas on August 6, 2019, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Normandy Four leaders to hold a meeting as soon as possible. French President Emmanuel Macron assured in a phone conversation with Zelensky that he would discuss the settlement of the situation in Donbas with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 19. What is more, ad hoc groups are preparing documents, which are expected to be signed by the Normandy Four leaders, the Ukrainian President's Office said after Zelensky called Putin on August 7. Ukraine's Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk said that Germany had confirmed readiness to give a boost to the Normandy talks on Donbas. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary in the European and Eurasian Bureau at the U.S. Department of State George Kent says that the change of the Normandy format should be agreed with all parties involved. "Ukraine has every right to seek partners to resolve one of the greatest conflicts in Europe today. Currently, there is a Normandy format between four countries. The U.S. has expressed its willingness to participate in the resolution of the Donbas conflict. Currently, that is led by Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker. It takes the agreement of all parties to agree on any new format," he told the VoA Ukrainian Service America. "But our commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty is unwavering, and we believe that Donbas is entirely a part of Ukraine, as is Crimea," he said.