Negotiations on Ukraine are over in Berlin: outcome not disclosed

Representatives of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine met over the Ukrainian crisis in Berlin overnight. The outcome of the seven-hour-long negotiations behind closed doors is not disclosed.

The parties to the negotiations say such confidentiality is necessary not to impede the Summit of the Norman Four in Minsk on February 11. By that date, foreign policy envoys and experts should coordinate a draft document able to stop bloodshed in Donbass.

The parties need to achieve a concession on a new dividing line – the most complicated issue. The armies of the DPR and LPR have recently expanded their territories by 1,500 sq km - something Kiev strongly disagrees with. Another “stumbling point” is the special status of the self-proclaimed republics. Their representatives will arrive in Minsk today to attend the meeting of the Contact Group.

Russia was represented at the negotiations of the Norman Four by Grigory Karasin, State Secretary  - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.