“The UK welcomes the statements of the governments of Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing the desire for peace in eastern Ukraine, and welcomes the further mutual withdrawal of Ukrainian and Russian-backed separatist military associations,” the statement said on the website of the British Foreign Ministry.
The British Minister for European Affairs Christopher Pincher, however, noted the "clear desire" of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
“Great Britain shares the opinion of the Ukrainian government that local elections in eastern Ukraine can take place only under appropriate conditions. This implies a real truce, the withdrawal of foreign troops and unhindered access by international observers and journalists, ”he said.
Earlier, the French Foreign Ministry noted the progress in the negotiations on the Donbass, which was achieved at a meeting of the contact group in Minsk.