There are no plans to add the United States to the Normandy Four (Germany, France, Russia, Ukraine), the group of countries that attempts to reduce tensions in eastern Ukraine, Germany FM Sigmar Gabriel said.

Gabriel met his French, Russian and Ukrainian counterparts at the Munich Security Conference.  According to Germany FM, all sides will use their influence to implement the cease-fire agreement aimed at the withdrawal of heavy weapons between Ukraine armed forces and Russia-backed rebels in Eastern Ukraine.

Sigmar Gabriel noted that the perspective of adding the United States to the Normandy Four has been discussed with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

“We think, there should be close contact with the United States, but we think this format should not be expanded,” he added.