In the course of his first official visit to Germany, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. The main topic of the meeting was the plan of the peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbas and the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements.

In the course of the joint press availability, Angela Merkel has informed that the negotiations with President Poroshenko had been intensive. "I'd like to reaffirm my highest consideration to the Ukrainian President and the Ukrainian Parliament for the efforts on the achievement of peace in Ukraine," the Chancellor noted.

Angela Merkel has stressed that the issue of annexation of Crimea remained open. "I'd like to remind that a year ago, in violation of the international law, Crimea was annexed. I want to emphasize that we do not forget about that, for it has questioned the European and world order," she said.

Angela Merkel has noted that every effort was made to peacefully ensure respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. "It concerns both Crimea and Donbas," she said. She has emphasized that "sanctions against Russia will be enhanced in case of gross violations".

In his turn, the President of Ukraine has noted that the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements should be an indicator for the abolishment or intensification of sanctions. "The indicator for the enhancement of sanctions should be not Mariupol, but clear and strict implementation of the Minsk agreements. If they are fulfilled, there will be no sanctions," the President said. At the same time, he noted that only a part of sanctions may be abolished in case of the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements. The rest of sanctions are related to the annexation of Crimea. "Sanctions can be fully abolished only after the liberation of the Crimean peninsula," Petro Poroshenko noted.

The Head of State has also emphasized that the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements should result in the establishment of control over the Ukrainian-Russian border, withdrawal of all foreign troops, liberation of all hostages and normalization of humanitarian situation.

According to the Chancellor, the necessity of fulfillment of the Minsk agreements will be clearly underlined in the course of the session of the European Council. Also, there will be a discussion on how the EU can help implement the Minsk agreements.

Angela Merkel has noted that the situation in Donbas was extremely complicated. "Ceasefire is still not efficient. Further work is required to achieve peace in Donbas," she said.

In his turn, the President of Ukraine has stressed that neither he, nor the Chancellor saw an alternative to the Minsk agreements. The President has noted the need for expanding the OSCE SMM in Donbas, increasing its technical equipment, particularly with drones and radars that must record violations of the ceasefire and take measures in respect of those who do not comply with it.

"We will do everything to ensure the fulfillment of the ceasefire regime, withdrawal of heavy weaponry, immediate liberation of hostages and transfer to the political process," Petro Poroshenko said. He has emphasized that Ukraine would strictly comply with its commitments.

"Ukraine is fighting not only for its sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom, but also for the global security and values of our European colleagues," the President noted.