Fighting near Zolote (17 February 2020)

France deplores the intense fighting that took place on February 17 near Zolote, in Ukraine, resulting in further military casualties. The ceasefire violations and use of heavy weapons are in breach of the Minsk Agreement and the conclusions of the summit of heads of state and government held on December 9.

France calls on the parties to exercise restraint, to avoid further escalation on the ground. It calls, notably, on Russia to use its considerable influence on the armed formations it supports to ensure that the ceasefire is fully enforced.

France remains strongly committed to the full restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

It is working steadfastly on efforts to resolve the conflict through negotiations in the Normandy format.