News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Sides must respect ceasefire in order to reverse worsening security situation in Ukraine, say OSCE Chairmanship Special Representative and Chief Monitor
Publishing date: 28 April 2016
VIENNA, 28 April 2016 – The sides in eastern Ukraine must urgently and fully respect the ceasefire in order to reverse the worsening security situation, said the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group Martin Sajdik and the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Ertugrul Apakan in their addresses to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today.
Spot Report by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM): Shelling in Olenivka
Publishing date: 28 April 2016
Four civilians were killed close to a “DPR” checkpoint near Olenivka when shelling occurred in the early hours of 27 April...
Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 26 April 2016
Publishing date: 27 April 2016
Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic increased at both BCPs...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 26 April 2016
Publishing date: 27 April 2016
In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a high level of violence, with more than 600 explosions recorded. In particular, the SMM noted a considerable increase of violence in the Yasynuvata area, with some 450 explosions recorded. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded ceasefire violations in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska on the night of 25 April. SMM noted a number of weapons missing from permanent storage sites and holding areas. It observed long queues at checkpoints along the contact line. Its freedom of movement was restricted on two occasions, in areas not controlled by the Government.* The SMM followed up on an explosion at a bank in Odessa...
Statement by spokesperson of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office on alleged plans for armed OSCE mission to eastern Ukraine
Publishing date: 27 April 2016
BERLIN, 27 April 2016- A spokesperson of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, holder of the 2016 OSCE Chairmanship, issued the following statement in Berlin today in response to reports on alleged plans for an armed OSCE mission to eastern Ukraine...
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly human rights chair calls for reversal of court decision banning the Tatar Mejlis in Crimea
Publishing date: 27 April 2016
A decision Tuesday by the top court in Russian-occupied Crimea to ban the Crimean Tatars’ governing body indicates a new level of stigmatization of the Tatar community and should be reversed, said OSCE Parliamentary Assembly human rights chair Isabel Santos (MP, Portugal) today...
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier condemns recent threats against OSCE monitors in Ukraine
Publishing date: 27 April 2016
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...