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The discussion included current issues of the bilateral agenda. It was noted that on September 9, the Cooperation Council on Security will resume its work with the participation of the foreign ministers and the ministers of defence of Russia and France. It was also agreed to develop contacts in other formats.

Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron positively assessed the September 7 release and transfer of prisoners who were held in custody in Ukraine and Russia as an important humanitarian act. Hope was expressed that this gesture will assist in normalising Russian-Ukrainian relations.

During their discussion concerning the prospects for solving the internal Ukrainian conflict, the Minsk Package of Measures was emphasised as the only alternative and the basis for a settlement. Mutual commitments were reaffirmed to carry on constructive joint work within the Normandy format.

The Russian President pointed out the expediency of meticulous preparation of the agenda for the next Normandy Four summit as well as the need to finalise decisions that can be approved by the leaders at the next meeting. In this context, attention was drawn to the necessity for Kiev to implement the agreements reached at the previous summits in Paris and Berlin in 2015 and 2016, including the disengagement of forces and equipment from the line of contact in designated sections and the signing of the “Steinmeier formula” in writing.

The situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions on Iran’s nuclear programme was thoroughly examined. Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron called for joint efforts by all the parties engaged in the process in order to maintain the JCPOA and ensure its implementation in full, and exchanged information on the steps taken by Russia and France in that connection.

The presidents agreed to continue their contacts both by telephone and through personal meetings.