Kiev. December 22. INTERFAX-UKRAINE - The decision of the participants of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) to resolve the situation in Donbass to return to full compliance with measures to strengthen the ceasefire regime of July 22, 2020 is a step towards de-escalation, said the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Ermak.
"During today's meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group, all parties expressed their intention to resolutely comply with the agreements on measures to strengthen the ceasefire regime of July 22, 2020. This is a step towards de-escalation in the east," Ermak wrote on his Facebook page.
The head of the President's Office expressed hope that the ceasefire would be sustainable.
"The upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays should be peaceful. Let silence finally reign in Donbas," he added.
As the acting First Deputy head of the delegation of Ukraine to the TCG Andrey Kostin noted, a common understanding was reached at the meeting of the need to resume the ceasefire, which allows us to witness the restrained optimism about the unblocking of the peace process.
"For the first time in a long time, there is a real opportunity to ensure silence on the line of contact in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Ukrainian side is fully ready for this. It is important that we saw the readiness of the other side for this step," the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine quotes Kostin as saying.
According to him, the absolute fulfillment of the relevant promises by the parties and the implementation of Measures to strengthen the ceasefire regime will mean the opportunity to go through the path of peace and through other necessary points.
It is reported that the Ukrainian side also continues to work in all available formats for the release of the detained persons, the opening of the KPVV, ensuring the implementation of other agreements.