Ukraine and Poland to discuss conflict resolution talks format

Deputy chief of staff of the Ukrainian presidential office Kostiantyn Yeliseyev said that Ukraine and Poland must coordinate their approaches.

“I had a talk with the diplomatic advisor to President [Andrzej] Duda and can make the announcement that in early September a special envoy from Duda will come to us, and we'll discuss a roadmap for bilateral relations between the two presidents, as well as the further possible engagement of Poland in the settlement of the crisis in Donbas," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday.

Yeliseyev also confirmed that Ukraine is open to modifying the format of the wider talks on resolving the situation in eastern Ukraine, something Duda has been pushing recently, although not fully in line with the Polish government’s plans.

"It doesn't matter what format [the talks] will be, and for people in Donbas as well. The main thing is to bring peace and tranquility in Donbas. The format could be Geneva, Normandy or any other. The main thing is to push forward the Minsk process, and in what way to do that is our diplomats' responsibility," he said.

Duda plans to discuss the broader format of talks on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis when he visits Berlin this week. (jh/rk)