Ukraine’s president says he hopes that a meeting with leaders of Russia, France and Germany will help advance a resolution to a five-year separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Fighting between Russia-backed separatist rebels and Ukrainian troops has killed more than 13,000 people since 2014.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy said during Wednesday’s visit to the region that the talks in Paris set for Dec. 9 should allow Ukraine to regain control of the rebel east. He said a lasting end to hostilities, the return of prisoners and holding local elections are among the priorities.
The meeting will focus on the implementation of a 2015 peace plan brokered by France and Germany. The Minsk agreement envisioned broad autonomy for the separatist regions and an amnesty for the rebels — provisions that were never implemented.