OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ann Linde visits Ukraine

KYIV, 21 January 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ann Linde, concluded a two-day official visit to Ukraine yesterday. She called on the sides to step up their efforts to find a sustainable peaceful resolution to the crisis in and around Ukraine.

“Ukraine is my first visit as Chairperson-in-Office, reflecting the high importance the Swedish Chairpersonship places on contributing to a peaceful resolution including full respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” Linde said. “Observing first-hand the situation on the ground, I can see the vital work the OSCE is doing and how much more needs to be done. The situation requires our continued, common attention.”

On 19 January, the Chairperson-in-Office met with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, Oleksii Reznikov. Linde welcomed their actions toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict. She reaffirmed the Chair’s commitment to defend the European security order and support efforts for a sustainable political solution in and around Ukraine in line with the OSCE´s principles and commitments.

She also met with civil society representatives, noting that “their voices are important to help us implement our joint commitments — in Ukraine and the region.” She emphasized that the full inclusion and empowerment of women is crucial in preventing and mitigating conflicts and consolidating peace.

Following meetings in Kyiv, Linde visited eastern Ukraine on 20 January to witness the security and humanitarian situation in the conflict-affected areas. She also observed the practical impact of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine’s (SMM) work on the ground.

The Chairperson-in-Office noted the significant decrease in the number of recorded ceasefire violations observed by the SMM since the recommitment to ceasefire agreed by the sides in July 2020. “I welcome the lower level of violence. However, lives are still being lost and the everyday life of citizens in this region is still heavily affected.”

Visiting a new entry-exit checkpoint in the Zolote area of eastern Ukraine, Linde said that the additional crossing point in the Luhansk region, along with a new entry-exit checkpoint in Schastia, is a “significant step toward alleviating hardship for civilians who cross the contact line on a daily basis.”

“It has been very useful for me to see all the preparations that have been made for the entry-exit points as agreed by the Normandy leaders in November 2020. We expect that their opening, with political will, becomes effective as a matter of urgency,” she said and added:

“Without disengagement, progress like this would not be possible. I commend the substantial political effort and work on the ground to open these two new entry-exit checkpoints. It is important to finalize plans to open the crossing points on both sides.”

Welcoming the recent meeting of the Normandy format political advisers, Linde said she hopes “we will see the continuation of the efforts at the highest level”. She expressed her full support for the efforts of the Normandy Format and Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), and her Special Representative in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Heidi Grau, as well as the SMM and its Chief Monitor, Ambassador Halit Çevik.

She encouraged the full implementation of the Minsk agreements and underscored the importance of the SMM having safe, secure and unrestricted access throughout Ukraine to implement its mandate.

Commending the multi-dimensional work of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Linde said its work offers a long-term dimension to the OSCE’s activities, particularly in supporting reform processes and addressing crisis-related challenges.