Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier

It was noted that the fulfilment of the Minsk Agreements remains significantly unstable. The parties confirmed their willingness to further try to influence both Ukrainian sides to achieve the complete fulfilment of the February 12 series of measures.

Mr Lavrov expressed his concern about Kiev’s persistent attempts to avoid its obligations under the Minsk Agreements – mainly when it comes to establishing a direct dialogue with Donbass on all aspects of Minsk-2, including constitutional reform and the termination of the social and economic blockade of the southeastern territories.

The minister agreed to continue the discussions after another meeting of the Normandy Four’s deputy foreign ministers in Paris on June 10.

The conversation also covered some aspects of Russian-EU relations.