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France's Hollande voices concern over escalating clashes in E. Ukraine

Xinhua, August 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

French President Francois Hollande voiced concern over escalating clashes in eastern Ukraine that would hamper diplomatic efforts to end peacefully the conflict, his office said on Tuesday.

During talks over phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hollande noted that the increasing number of acts that violates the peace deal would hamper moves to set on ground the agreement aimed to end hostilities.

The French leader called on rival camps to honor their commitment to implementing the Minsk accord.

He also expressed hope that the conditions would be quickly met to hold a new Normandy Format meeting to discuss ways to end the crisis, saying "there is no other alternative than a peaceful solution" to stop violence in eastern Ukraine.

In February 2015, Kiev and Moscow agreed a peace deal including a comprehensive ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontline of fighting, release of captives, amnesty to detained insurgents and restoration of the Ukrainian government control over the state border.

However, continued clashes in the zone have dashed hopes to fully implement the accord brokered by French and German leaders. Endit