BERLIN
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has criticized pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine for not taking steps to fully implement the Minsk cease-fire agreement.
"The situation has become calmer with regards to military confrontation, but the cease-fire is still not fully implemented," Merkel said Wednesday at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk in Berlin.
"The transparency of the withdrawal of heavy weapons has also been insufficient so far," she said, criticizing the pro-Russian separatists, who now controlled large parts of eastern Ukraine.
"Ukraine is ready and also views itself responsible to implement the Minsk agreement and its related measures," she added.
The German chancellor promised continued support for a political solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine and assured Germany’s support in the economic transformation of the country.
Meanwhile, Yatsenyuk criticized Russia and the separatists for not fully implementing the cease-fire, but in the same breath also expressed his commitment to the Minsk deal.
"Our 75 soldiers have died and dozens of others have wounded since the Minsk agreement," he said.
"But, for the time being, it is the only road map we have. The Minsk agreement should be implemented for the de-escalation of the situation and a peaceful solution to the conflict. It is now up to Russia," he added.
Also Wednesday, German and Ukrainian officials signed a letter of intent for the allocation of €500 million credit for Ukraine.
Yatsenyuk said that €200 million would be used to reinforce the state budget, while €300 million would be used for infrastructure projects and support for Small and Medium Enterprises.
Merkel promised stronger economic support for Ukraine, but demanded determined efforts in the fight against corruption and reforms that would help attract foreign investments.
A cease-fire was signed between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists in Minsk on Feb. 12.
The cease-fire agreement includes the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from combat areas, the withdrawal of all foreign-armed formations and release of all hostages and unlawfully detained persons, as well as political reforms and decentralization in the eastern Ukrainian regions.
Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing conflict between government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine has badly hit the Ukrainian economy.
More than 6,000 victims have lost their lives in the conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists since last April, according to the UN.
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