President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday July 26 welcomed the efforts made to resolve the conflict between Ukrainian forces and Kremlin-backed separatists, during a telephone interview with President Vladimir Putin, on the eve of the start of a cease-fire.
Read also: Donbass, the endless conflict
Moscow and Kiev agreed earlier this month to implement a ceasefire in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine, a condition included in the peace accord signed in Minsk in 2015.
The conflict between Russian-backed fighters and Ukrainian troops has claimed more than 13,000 lives since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine rebelled against Kiev.
The two heads of state "welcome" this agreement
The heads of state of the two countries " welcomed the agreement for a complete and comprehensive ceasefire in Donbass, " the Ukrainian presidency said in a statement. Zelensky also called for redoubled efforts to release Ukrainian nationals detained in Donbass, Crimea and Russia.
For its part, the Kremlin underlined the importance " of the unconditional respect of these agreements by the parties in conflict ". And President Putin has expressed concern over a law recently passed by the Ukrainian parliament, paving the way for regional elections in 2022, which he says "runs counter to the Minsk accords " and " endangers the prospects for a settlement. Of the conflict.
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