Russia and Ukraine agree to continue ceasefire talks
CNNCNN — Russian and Ukrainian negotiators agreed that a permanent ceasefire in eastern Ukraine must be observed “unconditionally” following hours-long talks in Paris on Wednesday. Speaking after Wednesday’s meeting, Moscow’s chief negotiator Dmitry Kozak said the ceasefire must be observed “unconditionally” but that many other issues in eastern Ukraine remained unresolved. He added that the “obligation” to implement such agreements “lies with the armed forces of Ukraine and the armed formations of the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic.” Ukrainian negotiator Andriy Yermak said all parties were in support of a permanent ceasefire and Ukraine was ready to negotiate around the clock to prevent war and to de-escalate tensions around the border. On Thursday, Russia’s Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev accused NATO of failing to keep its non-expansion “promise,” saying the alliance had moved closer to Russian borders, state news agency TASS reported. “They say that ‘we did not sign anything.’ But we all know well who and when granted to whom such promises, such assurances.” Medvedev added: “Everything must be done to avoid any war.” NATO’s ‘open-door’ policy As the Normandy Format got underway on Wednesday, the United States delivered a written response to Russia’s concerns over Ukraine.