“Indeed, the very fact of lengthy negotiations and a press conference on the basis of the results suggests that the parties have brought the positions so close that they were able to talk about the results together. This is actually an essential fact, proof that the negotiations were successful. The fact of the “unfreezing” of the Norman format is also a move, because three years of meeting at that level have not been held, the move is also the first personal meeting between Putin and Zelensky, ”the expert explained.
Shatrov recalled that there were unresolved issues.
“Issues of elections and issues of border protection between Ukraine and Russia in the Donbass region. But, firstly, these issues were directly named, and secondly, it was stated that the issue of elections will be discussed at the next meeting, ”he added.
At the same time, the political scientist noted that we are seeing not just a “defrosting” of the format, but an intensification of efforts.
“Here everything now depends on how things go when Zelensky returns to Kiev, whether he will be able to realize these promises that he made,” concluded Shatrov.
The talks between the presidents of Russia, Ukraine, France, as well as the Chancellor of Germany as part of the meeting in the Norman format lasted more than 5.5 hours.
Following a conversation with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the meeting went well and he was pleased with its results.