Zelensky in Germany

The meeting at the office of the Federal Chancellor began with the national anthems. With the protocol out of the way, the Ukrainian and German leaders discussed the situation in the East of Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk Accords.

“We discussed the Minsk process which gives us the chance to preserve the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We talked about Donetsk and Luhansk. Unfortunately, progress is nowhere to be seen. And while there’s no progress, sanctions cannot be lifted or softened. And as long as there is no progress the sanctions can’t be lifted and with regard to Crimea, they can only be lifted once Crimea returns to Ukraine,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

“I would like to call on you and I hope you can hear me: we did not start this war but we hope to end it as quickly as possible. We do not want our European partners to suffer from these sanctions but this is the only way without bloodshed to end this conflict,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Where the views of the two heads of states do differ is on the matter of Nord Stream 2. The construction of Russia’s new gas pipeline can potentially leave Ukraine without gas transportation contracts.

“It’s no secret that our positions regarding the Nord Stream 2 project are polar opposites. At the same time, we are grateful for the readiness of the German side to engage in constructive dialogue on this complicated matter,” Zelensky said.

Another touchy subject is the possibility that the Parliamentary Assembly of Europe restores the voting rights of the Russian delegation. Both Germany and France, which Zelensky visited earlier this week insist on this happening after sanctions are lifted. To achieve this Russia would have to release Ukrainian prisoners, end the war in Donbas, and return the annexed Crimea to Ukraine.

“I call on those who call for sanctions to be lifted to go visit the Donbas and see for yourselves how much sorrow this war brought to Ukrainians. And take a look at Crimea, which from a tourist destination and a nature’s treasure turned into an actual military base,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky announced that the next Minsk format meeting will take place in the Belarusian capital on July 12. If this format proves unfruitful, the president said.