Ukraine’s negotiator Adriy Yermak said discussions with Russia on Wednesday were “substantial but difficult.”
All parties are in support of a permanent ceasefire and Ukraine is ready to negotiate around the clock to prevent war and de-escalate tensions around Ukraine’s border, said Yermak.
“The work continues and I can tell you that Ukraine as usual is ready to negotiate, to meet 24-7,” he said.
“Because for us, for President Zelensky, for the entire team, the goal of stopping the war, of ending the war and returning our territories — and today that this also includes easing the tensions — the de-escalation around the Ukrainian border, is the priority,” added Yermak.
Negotiators for the two nations met in Paris as part of talks facilitated by France and Germany in the Normandy Format, a group of the four countries that has been trying to broker peace in eastern Ukraine since 2014.
“We have agreed on the final communique. I believe that the most important thing is that there is support of all the participants of the Normandy Format, of a permanent ceasefire which must be in effect unconditionally,” said Yermak.
While disagreements remain, there is also a desire to work through them, he added.
Talks between the group would resume in two weeks in Berlin, said Yermak.