KIEV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was visiting the country, to address regional security issues, according to the presidential press service.
Zelensky told reporters after the discussions in Kiev that the two parties discussed the peace process in and surrounding Ukraine, as well as legislative guarantees that would help to defend Ukraine. Because of the risks involved with the Nord Stream 2 natural gas project, Zelensky stated that Ukraine requires energy security guarantees.
Furthermore, the parties discussed the actions taken toward a peaceful settlement in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, particularly the two rounds of Normandy format discussions held at the level of political advisors. "We anticipate to be able to undertake further conversations and agree on a summit of the leaders of the Normandy Four in the near future," Zelensky added.
Scholz, for one, stated that Germany is working to find a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis. "We have increased our efforts in the Normandy format in collaboration with France. It's a challenging process, but I'm confident it'll be worthwhile "Scholz remarked. During their meeting, Zelensky and Scholz also discussed Ukraine's desire to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
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