News and press releases

BERLIN, 1 January 2016- As it takes over the rotating OSCE Chairmanship in 2016, Germany’s top priorities will be rebuilding trust among participating States and maintaining efforts for achieving a political solution to the conflict in and around Ukraine, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier said today.

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.

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in limited locations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded no firing incidents except one controlled denotation. The SMM attempted, unsuccessfully, to reach Kominternove in order to observe the security situation in the village. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable infrastructure repairs...

KYIV, 31 December 2015- The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, expressed today strong hope that the coming year will be pivotal in de-escalating the violence and taking concrete steps towards a comprehensive solution to the conflict in Ukraine. “The people of Ukraine seek peace and normalization of the country,” he said...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in southern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM visited the area of Kominternove to monitor the security situation. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs of critical infrastructure. The SMM observed farmers’ protests in Kherson and Chernivtsi region...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. An SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (mini-UAV) was caught in small-arms fire. The SMM revisited Kominternove to follow up on reports about the presence of armed persons in the village. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs of critical infrastructure...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In Donetsk region, the SMM saw and heard the use of mortars. The SMM reached Kominternove several days in a row to follow up on reports about the presence of armed persons in the village and the situation of the residents, but its access was restricted*. The SMM encountered other restrictions to its freedom of movement and security incidents. The SMM reached parts of the international border in Luhansk region not controlled by the Government...