The President of France Emmanuel macron said that he plans to hold a meeting in “Norman” format before the G20 summit, which is scheduled for July 7-8 in Hamburg.
“We will conduct a pre-G20 meeting in this format”, – he declared in interview to the newspaper “Figaro” and a number of other European publications.
In addition, macron said that talks with colleagues in the “channel format” will allow him to better understand at what stage is the settlement of the Ukrainian issue.
“As regards the Ukrainian issue, I will give you a clear answer after my first negotiations in the “Norman format”. But for sure, it is our duty to protect Europe and its allies in the region (in Eastern Europe – ed.). On this issue we must not retreat from its positions,” he said in an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro and several other European publications.
As reported, the macron following the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 30 may declared the necessity of negotiations “channel four” (France, Germany, Ukraine, Russia) as soon as possible.
The Ukrainian side confirmed its readiness to hold a meeting “Norman format” at the highest level. First Deputy Minister of foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vadim pristayko in mid-June reported that the meeting of leaders “Norman Quartet” will happen “much faster than till the end of summer.”
On 21 June, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that the telephone conversation of the leaders of “Norman Quartet” will take place before the end of June.
