Russia, Ukraine agree to step up efforts to free detained persons

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to step up efforts to free detained persons during a telephonic conversation between the presidents of two countries. The official Twitter account of President of Russia announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky at the initiative of the Ukrainian side.

While discussing a settlement in the southeast of Ukraine, an accent was made on the importance of strict compliance with the ceasefire established on July 21, as well as the disengagement of forces and weapons along the line of contact.

Vladimir Putin pointed out that preventing further shelling by the Ukrainian troops of communities in Donbass, which results in civilian casualties, is critical for de-escalating the conflict. The importance of consistently implementing the Minsk agreements, including their provisions on granting the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics a special legal status, was also reaffirmed during the conversation. In this context, it was noted that the parties need to engage in constructive dialogue, including within the Minsk Contact Group.

They also discussed future contacts in the Normandy Format.