Swiss OSCE Chair and Russian President discuss ways out of crisis regarding Ukraine

BERN, March 12 2014 - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter discussed the situation regarding Ukraine in a phone conversation with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, this afternoon. They talked about possible ways to overcome the current crisis.

In their discussion, Burkhalter and Putin focused on the creation of an international contact group on Ukraine and potential modalities for its establishment; they were also exchanging views on an OSCE monitoring mission, while Burkhalter stressed the importance of an early consensus on its deployment in order to contribute to an improved security situation also for minorities. Furthermore, Burkhalter underlined that processes on regional autonomy and de-centralization within a state always must be seen in a long-term perspective.

Burkhalter and Putin agreed to stay in touch and continue their conversation on ways out of the crisis regarding Ukraine.