Lavrov says 'Normandy Format' FMs to support weapon withdrawal in Ukraine
The foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France agreed to support urgent withdrawal of heavy weapons in Ukraine during the "Normandy Format" talks over the crisis in the country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday, Sputnik News reported.
"The most important decision made today, it is reflected in the joint statement, approved by the results of this meeting — a powerful support to the task of urgent withdrawal of heavy artillery from the line of contact, which was fixed in Minsk agreements, in particular, in the Minsk memorandum of September 19," Lavrov told journalists.
According to media reports, Foreign Minister of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated that "tangible progress" was made during the meeting, with the sides managing to agree on a demarcation line.
The withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the line of contact between the Ukrainian independence supporters and Kiev-led forces is stipulated by a memorandum signed in Minsk last September. The meeting was mediated by Russian and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) representatives.