Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced during a press conference that Ukraine has approved the Steinmeier Formula, which was the “final obstacle” to a new Normandy Format summit.

Axar.az reports citing UA Wire that he said that the Steinmeier Formula consists of several provisions. Approving these terms assumes that a special manner of local self-governance will be implemented in several Donbas regions and that elections will be held there. The details of the implementation of this plan will be formulated during the Normandy Format summit and included in a new law on the special status.

Zelensky also said that an agreement had been reached to start separating forces in Petrovskyi (Donetsk region) and Zolote (Luhansk region).

“I want to reassure the local population. I personally guarantee that you will be protected and that the withdrawal of soldiers will not affect your safety in any way. An example of this is the situation in Stanytsia Luhanska, where the forces have been successfully separated, and a pedestrian bridge is now being restored there. You know, by the end of November we plan to build a basic bridge there,” Zelensky said.