Statement by the Chairmanship on the Trilateral Contact Group consultations in Minsk on 31 January 2015

MINSK, 31 January 2015 - The participants in the Trilateral Contact Group came to Minsk for consultations with the representatives of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.  The TCG had prepared a detailed plan for the concrete implementation of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum, which continue to be the indispensable basis for any peaceful settlement.

Unfortunately, the signatories of these documents from Donetsk and Luhansk did not participate, although they had been personally invited by the Trilateral Contract Group.  Their representatives who were present were not in a position to discuss the proposal put forward by the TCG.  In fact, they were not even prepared to discuss implementation of a ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weapons.  Instead, they called for revision of the  Protocol and Memorandum. The meeting was adjourned.

The TCG remains open to continuing consultations at any time. In view of the seriously deteriorating situation and growing numbers of casualties, the TCG calls on all actors involved to engage responsibly in the comprehensive implementation of the Minsk documents with no further delays.