Contents tagged with OSCE
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US demands that separatists allow OSCE access to weapons storage facilities
The US representative to the OSCE, Daniel Baer, called for the immediate withdrawal of heavy weapons from the territories controlled by separatists in eastern Ukraine.
At a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, the representative said that the OSCE observers reported no decrease in the arsenal of heavy weapons in Luhansk, "including tanks, howitzers, armored vehicles and anti-aircraft surface-to-air systems," Ukrinform reported.
According to the OSCE mission in eastern Ukraine, …
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The OSCE is ready to send armed observers to the Donbas
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is open to sending armed personnel to eastern Ukraine if this proposal is agreed to by all parties. This was declared by the Secretary General of the OSCE, Lamberto Zannier.
The organization is currently supervising a fragile ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and rebels in Donbas.
Comments made by Zannier reflect the extent of the danger that the current unarmed observers are exposed to while monitoring the ceasefire. He says …
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OSCE: Military parades in Donetsk and Luhansk violated the Minsk Agreements
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine stated that the presence of heavy weaponry in Luhansk and Donetsk during Victory Day parades is a violation of the Minsk Agreements, as reported on Facebook page of the Special Monitoring Mission.
“The SMM was entrusted with the task of monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire and other provisions of the Minsk Agreements, including the withdrawal of weapons. In this case, the presence of heavy weaponry in Luhansk and Donetsk during the …
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OSCE reiterates that military parades in the Donbas on May 9th will violate the Minsk Agreements
The OSCE has once again stressed that the presence of heavy weapons during military parades in Donetsk and Luhansk on May 9th will be a violation of the Minsk Agreements, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
According to Alexander Hug, the Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, "historical heritage is important, but [the presence of] heavy weapons in the cities of Luhansk and Donetsk is a violation of Minsk and a threat to the people".
As previously reported, on April …
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OSCE notes the success of the Orthodox Easter ceasefire in the Donbas
In the last three days, attacks have been minimal in the Donbas
As was stated during a briefing by OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, the ceasefire in the Donbas, as agreed before the May holidays, is being successfully maintained, Terra Espana reported.
"During the celebration of Orthodox Easter, a ceasefire agreement was reached and it has been successful; the number of incidents in the last three days have been reduced,” Zannier noted.
However, he also emphasized that there has been …
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Power: Conditions in the Donbas do not meet those required to hold elections
During a UN Security Council meeting in New York, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Samantha Power, stated that conditions in the Donbas are not sufficient to meet the standards of Ukrainian or international election laws.
Power emphasized the importance of conducting local elections in the Donbas in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and international standards.
“Citizens and observers who monitor the elections need sufficient security during the elections in order …
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OSCE confirms four civilian deaths near Donetsk
According to preliminary data from the monitoring mission, the OSCE has confirmed the deaths of four civilians at the Elenovka checkpoint in the Donetsk region last night. This was reported by the UNIAN news agency.
OSCE observers arrived at the Elenovka checkpoint at approximately 10 am in response to media reports about the deaths. The observers then conducted a preliminary analysis which determined that “three vehicles were damaged, four civilians were killed and an unconfirmed number of …
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OSCE condemns threats against its observers in eastern Ukraine
The Acting Head of the OSCE, German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier, expressed concerns over the increase in ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine including incidents involving OSCE observers.
“The SMM is a civil, unarmed mission. It plays an important role in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. SMM observers’ security should be guaranteed by both sides. The persons responsible for threats and use of force against observers must be brought to justice,” …
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Poroshenko: Russia agrees to OSCE armed police mission in the Donbas
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stated that Russia has agreed to deploy an armed OSCE mission in the Donbas.
"I’m very glad that Ukraine’s firm position is supported by our partners in The Normandy Group, both the U.S.A. and Russia has agreed to this format. I think we will do it right," Poroshenko said in an interview with Ukrainian TV channels on Sunday evening.
The President emphasized that despite the Herculean efforts of the SMM OSCE, firing, especially in Avdiivka, Marinka and in …
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Seperatist leader: An armed OSCE mission in the Donbas will be considered military aggression against us
The leaders of the so-called People's Donetsk Republic (DPR) stated that any armed OSCE mission in eastern Ukraine will be viewed as military aggression against the self-declared republic.
This position was stated by the leader of the so-called DPR, Aleksandr Zakharchenko, at a media briefing. It was later published by separatist media sources.
"If they dare to show up here armed, I will consider it to be a military invasion. They only have a mandate to be a monitory mission," he stated. …