‘Normandy format’ meeting at the Federal Chancellery ‘We must use every opportunity’, says Angela Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President François Hollande, Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin on the 19 October 2016. The Normandy format meeting focused on the implementation of the Minsk agreements for eastern Ukraine.

The implementation of the Minsk agreements was stalling 'at many points' said the Chancellor. More progress must be made on a ceasefire and on humanitarian and political matters, she said. 'No miracles should be expected from this meeting', declared Angela Merkel. But no stone should be left unturned in efforts to get the stalled implementation of the Minsk agreements moving again.

In the sidelines of the meeting German and French leaders also spoke with the Russian President concerning the situation in Syria.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU prolongs sanctions over actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-prolongs-sanctions-over-actions-against-ukraines-territorial-integrity/

EurActiv, 18.10.16: Merkel to host Putin for Berlin summit on Ukraine http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/merkel-to-host-putin-for-berlin-summit-on-ukraine/

ESO: Background information: New ceasefire announced for eastern Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/new-ceasefire-announced-for-eastern-ukraine/

Euro|Topics: Debates, October 2016: Merkel meets Putin in Berlin http://www.eurotopics.net/en/168023/merkel-meets-putin-in-berlin

BBC News, 20.10.16: Ukraine crisis: 'No miracles' at Berlin talks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37705057

Germany: Federal Government: News, 20.10.16: Gespräche zu Ukraine und Syrien Merkel sieht Russland in der Verantwortung [in German] https://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/DE/Artikel/2016/10/2016-10-19-treffen-normandie-format.html

Russia: President: News, 19.10.16: Statement for the press following visit to Berlin http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/53128

Sputnik International, 20.10.16: Putin Addresses Media Following Normandy Four Talks in Berlin https://sputniknews.com/europe/201610201046521102-putin-normandy-four/

Sputnik International: Tag: Normandy Four https://sputniknews.com/tags/organization_Normandy_Four/

The Local.de, 19.10.16: Syria now on the table as Putin comes to Berlin https://www.thelocal.de/20161019/putin-heads-to-berlin-for-crunch-syria-ukraine-talks

EUObserver 19.10.16: [Opinion]: A Normandy summit of ulterior motives https://euobserver.com/opinion/135567

EurActiv, 20.10.16: Progress over Ukraine war at Berlin summit with Putin http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/progress-over-ukraine-war-at-berlin-summit-with-putin/

EUObserver 20.10.16: Merkel and Hollande threaten new Russia sanctions https://euobserver.com/foreign/135577

Politico, 20.10.16: Merkel and Hollande fail to ‘achieve miracles’ on Ukraine http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-and-francois-hollande-fail-to-achieve-miracles-on-ukraine/

Deutsche Welle, 20.10.16: Slight optimism after Putin visit to Berlin http://dw.com/p/2RStS

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 20.10.16: Putin in Berlin http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=64906

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