Hollande, Merkel, Putin, Poroshenko stress importance of Minsk Protocol full implementation

Leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine stressed Wednesday the importance of the "full implementation" of the Minsk Protocal in 2016. French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko made a phone conversation on Wednesday, French Presidential office the Elysee said in a press release. The four leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to reach "a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine" and the "immediate concerted withdrawal of heavy weapons", said the press release. According to Elysee, the Normandy format leaders discussed the "preparations of local elections in Donbass scheduled for beginning of next year". The four leaders agreed to hold another meeting of foreign ministers of the Normandy group which should review the implementation of the Minsk Protocol by the beginning of February, the Elysee added.