Putin and Zelensky Discussed the Situation in Eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine. The telephone conversation between the two leaders took place several hours before the new ceasefire agreement entered into force. Putin and Zelensky supported the ceasefire between the conflicting parties at midnight from 26 to 27 July. Zelensky’s office said the President of Ukraine drew Putin’s attention to the need for further steps to release Ukrainian citizens held in Russia, eastern Ukraine and Crimea. According to the Kremlin, the Russian president told Zelensky that Ukraine’s decision to hold local elections is contrary to the Minsk Agreements, which are designed to help peacefully resolve the conflict that began in 2014. The conversation between the two leaders took place shortly after the Ukrainian command announced the “start of preparations” for the ceasefire introduction. If such a regime is observed, it “will help pave the way towards implementing other provisions” of the Minsk Agreements, the Ukrainian President’s office said. Earlier today, it was reported that the units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to prepare for a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the demarcation line of the sides in Donbas. This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian forces. The Russian-backed separatists of the so-called “DPR” and “LPR” also declare their readiness to support the ceasefire regime. The DPR command clarified that they had forbidden their soldiers to use any weapon, including small arms.