OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier condemns recent threats against OSCE monitors in Ukraine

BERLIN, 27 April 2016 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier today expressed concern following the recent increase in ceasefire violations in Eastern Ukraine and the growing number of incidents involving OSCE monitors.

Referring to recent threats against the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Steinmeier said: “The SMM is a civilian, unarmed mission. It is instrumental for supporting the implementation of the ceasefire. The safety and security of SMM monitors must be assured by the sides. Those responsible for threatening or using force against the monitors must be held accountable.”