Ban Ki-moon Hopes Next Normandy Format Meeting on Ukraine to Be Productive

The next Normandy format meeting, comprising Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, is scheduled for October 2.

Ban said in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Minsk agreements on ceasefire in eastern Ukraine were largely being adhered to, but the situation was still not ideal. He expressed hope that the Normandy format meeting would be productive, and stressed the importance of ceasefire.

Ban also expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in the country, and called for provision of humanitarian assistance to all those who need it as winter is about to start.