KYIV. Aug 29 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed to hold a Normandy Four summit soon during a telephone conversation on Wednesday, the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine said.
"The heads of state discussed the results of the G7 summit in Biarritz. The President of Ukraine thanked for the consistent position of Germany as regards the impossibility of Russia's return to the G7 given its aggression against Ukraine and occupation of Crimea," it said on Wednesday evening.
Zelensky also briefed Merkel on security in eastern Ukraine and Kyiv's implementation of an agreement on the disengagement of forces and hardware near Stanytsia Luhanska, it said.
"He also confirmed that Ukraine remained consistent in fulfilling its commitments on peaceful settlement in Donbas using political and diplomatic mechanisms," the press service said.
Furthermore, Zelensky called on the leaders of the Normandy format countries to meet as soon as possible to discuss the peace process and agree on further steps to resolve the conflict. Merkel, in turn, reiterated support for Ukraine's efforts aimed at restoring peace in Donbas and agreed that a Normandy Four summit needs to be held in the near future.
"The parties agreed to hold a preparatory meeting of diplomatic advisors to the heads of state and government on September 2," the press service said. Zelensky and Merkel also discussed bilateral cooperation and contacts between Ukraine and Germany within international organizations.
The Zelensky-Merkel phone call was first reported by Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk.