Office of President: Results of TCG meeting on December 22 suggest restrained optimism

A meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group took place yesterday, which allows testifying to the restrained optimism about the possible de-escalation of the situation in the Donbas and the unblocking of the peace process. This is reported by the Office of the President.

It is noted that the meeting reached a common understanding of the need to resume ceasefire in the framework of the relevant measures agreed on July 22, 2020, which is confirmed, in particular, by the OSCE representatives.

"For the first time in a long time, there is a real opportunity to ensure ceasefire on the contact line in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts", - acting first deputy head of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG Andrey Kostin noted. - The Ukrainian side is fully prepared for this. It is important that we saw the readiness of the other side to take this step".

"This result is especially important considering the upcoming winter holidays. It is traditional for our citizens to celebrate Christmas and New Year together with the closest people. The safe component is understood as defining. The ability to guarantee one hundred percent fulfillment of the relevant promises and implement the Measures to strengthen the ceasefire, agreed on July 22 last year, will mean the opportunity to go through the path of peace and through other necessary points", - the message notes.

It is also emphasized that the Ukrainian party continues to work in all available formats to release the detainees, open the checkpoints and ensure the implementation of other agreements in the interests of all Ukrainians on both sides of the contact line.