OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Linde concludes official visit to Ukraine

KYIV, 16 June 2021 —The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, concluded her second official visit to Ukraine yesterday. In view of this spring’s heightened tensions in and around Ukraine, she called for de-escalation and confidence-building in accordance with international law and OSCE principles and commitments, making full use of OSCE tools and mechanisms.

Chairperson-in-Office Linde’s meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba focused on steps toward conflict resolution, alleviating the suffering of people living in conflict-affected areas and improving the humanitarian situation. Linde also emphasized the Chairpersonship’s continued support for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

The visit reflects the high importance that the Swedish Chairpersonship places on contributing to a peaceful resolution of the crisis with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

“I am deeply concerned by continuing ceasefire violations observed and the reports of civilian and military casualties. This demonstrates the need for an immediate adherence to the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine,” Linde said.

Linde expressed her full support of the Special Representative of the Chairperson-in­Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Heidi Grau, who explained the significant challenges faced during the negotiations.

The Head of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), Halit Çevik, briefed Linde on the systematic impediments and restrictions hindering the Mission’s work on a daily basis.

“During spring, the Mission has noted a narrowing corridor for its work, which erodes its already limited monitoring ability in non-government-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine. This is unacceptable and runs contrary to the SMM mandate which provides for the Mission’s safe and unhindered access throughout Ukraine,” the Chairperson-in-Office stressed, expressing her strong support for the Mission´s work.

In eastern Ukraine, Linde visited Novotroitske, one of only two functioning crossing points on the contact line, and a nearby village to see humanitarian efforts to ease the effects of the conflict on people´s lives. She also learned more about the SMM’s monitoring activities and its efforts facilitating localized ceasefires and helping conflict-affected communities.

While commenting on Ukraine’s efforts to keep all entry-exit checkpoints open, Linde stressed that the opening of all corresponding crossing points in non-government-controlled areas would be a significant step toward alleviating hardships for civilians who cross the contact line on a daily basis.

During a stop in Mariupol, Linde had an opportunity to be briefed on the security situation in the Black Sea region. She also met with the Mariupol Port Administration.