The parties gave a positive assessment to the meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine in Berlin on July 2 and the Joint Statement they approved. In particular, compliance with the statement’s clause on the need for a long-term ceasefire and another meeting of the contact group no later than July 5 was considered of great importance.
The President of Russia expressed deep concern over the growing civilian casualties and a surge in the number of refugees fleeing from southeast Ukraine to Russia.
The leaders of the three nations spoke out for enhancing the OSCE’s role in monitoring the situation in the conflict area.