Kyiv to take political steps in fulfillment of Minsk agreements only after progress in security issues

Progress in security issues has to be made before the political settlement of the Donbas conflict begins, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.

"The stance maintained by our diplomats at negotiations in the 'Normandy format' and in the Minsk process indicates that political settlement efforts should be preceded by the absolutely crucial, obvious and indisputable security process," Poroshenko said during celebrations of Defender of Ukraine Day in the center of Kyiv on Friday.