German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that the progress in resolving the conflict in the Donbas reigion is only visible under a magnifying glass. He stated this in an interview to Märkische allgemeine zeitung.
Steinmeier also expressed regret that the Minsk agreements are implemented with a "snail's pace". However, the minister said, the path of peaceful settlement of the conflict is "neither quick nor easy”.
He assured that he is ready to work towards a peaceful settlement, to prevent the "fire in the center of Europe", even if it would require a lot of time.
"For several months we are making strenuous efforts to make progress and it is frustrating when we almost don’t see one", said Steinmeier.
However, he said, in such moments it is necessary to recall the achievements of the Minsk process.
"We were able to prevent a confrontation in the east of Ukraine in the full-scale military conflict that would have gone out of control and, in turn, could develop into a fire in the heart of Europe", Steinmeier highlighted.
At the same time, he stressed he strives for a peaceful solution in the long term, "even if it takes a while”.
Source: Märkische allgemeine zeitung
