OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier expresses hope that holiday ceasefire in eastern Ukraine will be followed by additional progress

BERLIN, 1 January 2016 - Speaking on New Year’s Day, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed satisfaction with the recent lull in violence in eastern Ukraine.

“I am pleased that, based on the observations of the OSCE, the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine has been holding again for several days now and that no more serious incidents have occurred in the conflict zones”, said Steinmeier.

“That gives us hope that the conflicting parties will also tackle the other difficult steps that still need to be taken to fully implement the Minsk agreements, with a willingness to find constructive solutions which will help overcome the crisis and defuse the conflict in the long term.”

Steinmeier stated: “I am determined not to relax our efforts to mediate between Moscow and Kyiv within the Normandy format and to now also use Germany’s Chairmanship of the OSCE to this end.”