German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that the "security as outlined in the Minsk agreement is the precondition for further political progress", during a press conference in Meseberg, Saturday.

During Ukrainian President Poroshenko's visit Merkel also announced the Normandy format talks will keep existing with the new French president Emmanuel Macron, and the Chancellor added that she also wants to tackle "humanitarian issues, because the fate of the affected people is still highly difficult and, if we want to achieve something on the humanitarian level, it would be a great advance.'

Poroshenko expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the European Union for granting Ukrainian citizens a visa liberalisation with the union. "This has an historical value for Ukraine. It is the final exit from the Soviet empire, the return of Ukrainians to European nations, and recognition of our reforms and changes which took place in our country during the last three years," he said.

The visa free system will enter into force on June 11. Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports will be able to enter all EU member states, with the exception of UK and Ireland, without a visa for up to 90 days during any 180 day period.