OSCE Special Representative Sajdik and Chief Monitor Apakan welcome recommitment to the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine

KYIV, 6 July 2018 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and the Trilateral Contact Group, Martin Sajdik, and the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), Ertugrul Apakan, today welcomed the reduction in the number of ceasefire violations that has occurred since recommitment to the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, which came into effect shortly after midnight on 1 July 2018.

“This recommitment needs to be matched by a concrete set of actions if the ceasefire is to hold in a meaningful and sustained manner, namely the withdrawal of heavy weapons, disengagement, and de-mining,” saidAmbassador Sajdik.

Chief Monitor Ambassador Apakan said: “Full commitment to the implementation of the Minsk agreements ensures that the population in eastern Ukraine is able to live in peace and stability. It is high time for the civilian population to be able to go about their everyday lives.”