11:15 20.10.2017

OSCE extends observers' mandate at two checkpoints on uncontrolled border part with Russia, Ukrainian delegation saddened by refusal to expand mandate

2 min read
OSCE extends observers' mandate at two checkpoints on uncontrolled border part with Russia, Ukrainian delegation saddened by refusal to expand mandate

The OSCE Permanent Council at its 1161st meeting on Thursday approved the decision to extend the mandate of the observer mission at the two Russian checkpoints Hukove and Donetsk for three months, until January 31, 2018, at an uncontrolled section of the Ukrainian-Russian border.

"The mandate of the Mission, which is comprised of 22 staff, remains unchanged. Operating under the principles of impartiality and transparency, the observers will monitor and report on the situation at the two Russian checkpoints, as well as on the movements across the border. The Mission has been on the ground since 29 July 2014, the official website of the OSCE said on Thursday.

In connection with the adoption of this decision, the delegation of Ukraine to the OSCE made a statement in which it expressed its deep disappointment with the Russian Federation's sole refusal to grant consent for the expansion of the mission's mandate to the entire stretch of the border adjacent to the territory of certain regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions that is temporarily uncontrolled by the government of Ukraine.

"Such actions by the Russian Federation indicate a conscious unwillingness to contribute to the de-escalation of the situation in Donbas and the conscious intention to continue supplying heavy weapons, military equipment and ammunition, militants and mercenaries, support terrorist activities on the territory of Ukraine," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in response to the decision of the Permanent OSCE Council on the extension of the mandate, published on the official website of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

The delegation of Ukraine urged the Russian Federation to fulfill its obligations under the Minsk agreements, first of all, the provisions of paragraph 4 of the Minsk Protocol dated September 5, 2014 on establishing control and constant monitoring of the OSCE over the temporarily uncontrolled section of the Ukrainian-Russian state border with the creation of a security zone along the border on the part of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, progress in the implementation of which is critically important for the de-escalation of the situation in Donbas.

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