A meeting between Ukrainian and Russian Presidents Petro Poroshenko and Vladimir Putin involving European leaders on the sidelines of an ASEM summit in Milan on Friday revealed many differences between the parties, but Putin made it clear that he does not want the creation of another Transdniestria in Donbas, reports GHN based on Ukrinform.
This was stated by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, who attended the meeting.
"Of course, we will not hide it, there were differences of view regarding various aspects. And more meetings will take place this afternoon to address these questions. But it is also important to note that President Putin made it clear that he does not want the creation of another Transdniestria and that the Donbas region is an integral part of Ukraine," he said, describing this meeting format as "Normandy plus. "
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, in turn, said that the EU side had stressed the need for full implementation of the ceasefire regime and the Minsk agreements.
"I believe the meeting was constructive. Serious implementation is now key so that trust can be restored and consolidated," Barroso said.
He also thanked ASEM partners for supporting an integral and sovereign Ukraine.
Van Rompuy, in turn, said that at this stage there was no political decision to settle the situation in the east of Ukraine and also stressed the need for further implementation of peace initiatives.
"We agreed on the need to bring back peace and stability to Eastern Ukraine. To this effect it is essential that we ensure implementation of the Minsk agreements, in particular as regards the cease fire, border control and the holding of elections. The key word was implementation, implementation, implementation," he said.
As reported, on Friday, Milan hosted a meeting between Poroshenko and Putin involving the leaders of Italy, Germany, France, Britain, as well as the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.