Ukraine’s negotiator Adri Yermak said on Wednesday that talks with Russia were “substantial but difficult”.
Yermak said all sides were in support of a permanent ceasefire and that Ukraine was ready for round-the-clock talks to stop the war and reduce tensions along the Ukrainian border.
“Work is ongoing and I can tell you that Ukraine is ready for talks as usual for a 24-7 meeting,” he said.
“Because for us, for President Zelensky, for the whole team, the goal of stopping the war, ending the war and returning our territories – and today that includes reducing tensions – is de-escalation around the Ukrainian border, Priority,” said Yermak.
Negotiators from the two countries met in Paris as part of talks facilitated by France and Germany in the Normandy format, a grouping of four that has been trying to establish peace in eastern Ukraine since 2014.
“We have agreed on the final release. I believe the most important thing is the support of all participants in the Normandy format, a permanent ceasefire that must be in effect unconditionally,” Yermak said.
He said that while disagreements persist, there is also a willingness to work on them.
Yermak said talks between the group would resume in Berlin in two weeks.
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