On 14 October 2019, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko took part in the foreign ministers meeting “Ukraine + Group of Friends of Ukraine in the EU” upon the invitation of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini and ministers for foreign affairs of the EU Member States.

The meeting took place in the framework of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg).
Vadym Prystaiko briefed his counterparts on the implementation of comprehensive reforms in Ukraine, security situation in the Donbas and preparations for the Normandy format summit. The Minister emphasized the irreversibility of European and Euro-Atlantic course of Ukraine.

The participants of the meeting discussed in details the ways to intensify international efforts in order to stop Russian aggression and resolve situation in the Donbas by peaceful means.

“Local elections in the Donbas can be held only in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and high OSCE standards, inter alia, after the de-occupation, withdrawal of Russian troops and Ukraine’s restoration of control over the state border. Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States support our stance”, - emphasized Vadym Prystaiko while commenting on the outcome of the meeting.

During the meeting, the Minister also expressed his gratitude to the EU side for the non-recognition of Russia’s illegal passportization of Ukrainian citizens living in the temporarily occupied territories of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Moreover, the Head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry urged his EU colleagues to consider extending personal sanctions after Russia's so-called "local elections" in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

Representatives of the EU institutions and Member States reaffirmed their consistent support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as efforts of the Ukrainian authorities to implement the Minsk agreements and carry out a comprehensive reform program, in particular in the context of an investment conference in Mariupol on 29 October aimed at increasing support to the Azov and eastern regions of Ukraine.