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Military operation in Ukraine

Ukraine’s Medvedchuk says he believed in Merkel’s, Hollande’s, Poroshenko’s aim for peace

Ukrainian politician noted that he discussed peaceful settlement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that Russia sought peace

KIEV, February 16. /TASS/. Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk believed that German ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel, French ex-President Francois Hollande and Ukrainian ex-President Pyotr Poroshenko truly desired the implementation of the Minsk Agreements and achievement of peace settlement in Donbass. He made this statement in his interview for Russian media, commenting on the mentioned politicians’ admissions that they viewed these agreements as a way to buy time for Ukraine to resume hostilities.

"I would like to tell you honestly, I truly believed that Merkel, Hollande and Poroshenko all wanted peace and peaceful settlement at that stage," Medvedchuk said, adding that he realized that the West has double morals.

Medvedchuk noted that he discussed peaceful settlement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that Russia sought peace.

"I realized that Russia, with its authority and influence, could do that, especially considering that he [Putin] was supported by the West, represented by EU leaders, leaders of France and Germany," the Ukrainian politician said.

"This admission, this hypocrisy and shamelessness is evidence that the West remain just as two-faced as it used to be," the politician said, referring to the admissions about the Minsk agreements.

"I agree with Vladimir Putin’s words that Donetsk and Lugansk should have probably been recognized earlier, but he did everything he could for peace to prevail," Medvedchuk said.

Earlier, Poroshenko said that the 2015 Minsk Agreements made it possible to carry out a reform of Ukrainian armed forces and to create an international coalition against Russia. In December, Merkel said in an interview for Die Zeit that the Agreements "were an attempt to give time to Ukraine to become stronger." According to Merkel, "it was clear for everyone" that the conflict was suspended and that the problem was not resolved, but "it was exactly what bought Ukraine precious time." Later, French ex-President Francois Hollande, who also participated in the negotiation of the Package of Measures on implementation of the Minsk Agreements, confirmed Merkel’s words.

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Ukraine Military operation in Ukraine

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