Russia: Certain Progress Reached over Ukraine in Berlin Talks

Local Editor

Russia said on Monday that "certain progress" was reached on all issues discussed at Ukraine crisis talks in Berlin between the two countries' foreign ministers and their counterparts from Germany and France.

The foreign ministry said the sides focused on ways to quickly halt fighting and establish Ukraine's control over its border with Russia as well as deliver aid to civilians and begin peace talks.
"Certain progress was made on all these issues," the Russian ministry said in a statement.

"It was agreed to continue dialogue in this format, with its results producing concrete proposals that could be presented for review of the leaders of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine."
The meeting in Berlin was arranged on Friday with tensions between Moscow and Kiev simmering over Russia's decision to try and deliver what it claims to be a huge humanitarian aid convoy that the Ukrainian authorities fear may be used to smuggle in arms to the pro-Kremlin insurgents.

The German FM made an immediate statement to the press following the talks, saying that the negotiations will continue next week, emphasizing that the ministers will use any possibility to ease the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and avoid further victims.

The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that "a certain progress was reached" in the negotiations and that the parties would "continue dialogue in the same format with the goal to reach concrete suggestions for consideration by the leaders of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine."

Ahead of the meeting, the German FM said that a "road map" is needed "to achieve a long-term cease-fire, as well as the development of the basic principles of effective border control."
"There are no guarantees that today's meeting will have the desired success, but I also say with regard to the situation today and in the past few days it would be irresponsible not to use the willingness to talk signaled by all sides," Steinmeier said, warning that otherwise "we risk the danger of setbacks and renewed escalation."

He added that all parties to the conflict must be "very careful about sliding ever deeper into a direct confrontation between Ukrainian and Russian armed forces." This must be avoided "at all cost," said Steinmeier.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team