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The first steps towards achieving peace in Donbas should be the withdrawal of Russian forces from the occupied territories and the return of permanent control to Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a video address to the participants of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"A comprehensive ceasefire began on July 27, which, despite attempts to break it, still gives hope for achieving a sustainable truce. The ceasefire is critical to continue moving towards peace," the head of state stressed.

According to him, the next steps on this path should be the withdrawal of illegal armed formations and weapons from the occupied territories, the return of control over the state border, and ultimately, the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

According to Zelensky, over the past year, Ukraine has proven through concrete actions that it really wants peace. "We managed to unblock the dialogue, we resumed the meetings of the leaders of the Normandy Four countries, and made significant progress in the mutual release of detainees," he said.

In this regard, the President of Ukraine thanked international partners for their help and support and expressed hope for the further unity of the international community in this matter.

At the same time, the head of state stressed that "the UN plays an important role in restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the authority of international law." However, for this, he said, it is necessary to improve the existing mechanisms.