Talks were extremely intensive and focused on the difficult economic and political situation in Ukraine, reported Chancellor Angela Merkel following her meeting with Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

Angela Merkel praised the reform programme outlined impressively by the Ukrainian head of government on taking office. "It is ambitious and very resolute."

Still a lot of work ahead

She considers the fact that the newly elected government managed to adopt a budget that was "anything but easy" and that contained a whole series of innovations to be "a huge achievement", said the Chancellor. "I know that this will demand a lot of the Ukrainian people, who are already having to cope with huge demands." The economic situation is not easy, which is why everything must be done to improve things.

"The newly elected parliament has demonstrated its will to continue to move towards a transparent and democratic state," noted the Chancellor. "Improvements have been achieved thanks to Ukraine’s trade with Europe, but of course a lot of work still lies ahead," summed up Angela Merkel. She promised that Germany will continue to support Ukraine as it reforms.

Thanks to Germany

In this context Arseniy Yatsenyuk pointed to the trilateral energy agreement between Ukraine, Germany and the EU. He also reported that his country had chalked up successes in its fight against corruption in the energy sector. "We do not have billions vanishing into the pockets of oligarchs. Today we work transparently and buy gas with the assistance of German and other European businesses," he stated clearly.

He thanked Germany for the assistance it has provided to date. "This support is not a gift. We will repay the cash." Ukraine is also willing to submit accountability reports laying out what has been done with aid funds, in line with European standards, he said.

Territorial integrity the absolute precondition

Angela Merkel stressed that she and Arseniy Yatsenyuk fully agreed that the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be restored. The key to stabilising the situation in eastern Ukraine is the Minsk Protocol with Russia signed in September. Regrettably several provisions of this agreement have still not been implemented. Although progress has been made on respecting the ceasefire, "it is still fragile," said the Chancellor.

What is needed is "tangible progress – but not just on one point. The Minsk Protocol must be implemented in its entirety," demanded Angela Merkel. The ministers of foreign affairs of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine are working on preparations for a possible meeting in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. "The meetings to be held over the next few days will show whether or not we are ready for a meeting of this sort," said Angela Merkel, dampening any excessive expectations.

For a roadmap for peace

A meeting in Astana will not mean that all points are implemented the next day, said the Chancellor. "What we can do is to try to achieve tangible progress and to agree on a reliable roadmap to address other points," she stated. In view of the setbacks suffered so far, trust must first be re-established.

"That means that firstly people must see that something is happening. Secondly there must be a plan in place for further action. But we cannot simply forget any of the points in the Minsk Protocol, and claim that they were not so important anyway. Every provision of the agreement is necessary," stated Angela Merkel unequivocally.

The lifting of sanctions on Russia also depends on this. "That is why I believe that we must see that the Minsk Protocol is implemented in its entirety so that we can say that the sanctions can be lifted," stressed the Chancellor.

"Unfortunately the Russian Federation has failed to comply with a single one of the provisions of the Minsk Protocol," criticised the Ukrainian Prime Minister. Ukraine has already done its bit by adopting harsh and unpopular legislation. "Peace in Ukraine, peace in Europe and success in Germany and Ukraine – these are the key tasks we discussed here today," concluded Arseniy Yatsenyuk.