News and press releases

The SMM continued to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum and the work of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). In particular, it was informed that talks were held in Donetsk between Russian and Ukrainian military officers attached to the JCCC in order to arrange a ceasefire in and around Donetsk airport

BASEL, 4 December 2014 – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is facing its greatest challenge in recent memory as it responds to the Ukraine crisis and must take decisive steps, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) said in an address to the Organization’s foreign ministers today...

BASEL, Switzerland, 4 December 2014 – It is essential to preserve the OSCE as a platform for inclusive discussions and as an effective responder despite divisions in Europe over the situation in Ukraine, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter in his opening address at the 21st OSCE Ministerial Council in Basel...

The SMM continued to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum and the work of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). In particular, it noted attempts in Donetsk to implement a ceasefire and arrange for the withdrawal of heavy weaponry. An SMM Unarmed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was shot at in the Donetsk region.

Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Check Points (BCPs). On 30 November a Russian convoy crossed the Donetsk BCP to Ukraine and returned to the Russian Federation (RF) the same day. Overall cross-border traffic flows decreased at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). Following a snowstorm and falling temperatures beginning in the night of 30 November, the traffic flows at both BCPs decreased significantly. The OM continued to observe a significant number of persons in military-style clothing crossing the border in both directions.

The SMM continued to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum and the work of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). The SMM attempted to facilitate a ceasefire to connect Staromikhailivka (22km W of Donetsk) to electric power, but had to leave due to security reasons.

The SMM continued to focus its observation on the implementation of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum, including by monitoring activities of the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination (JCCC). In Makiivka, the SMM observed the offloading of three trucks of the Russian convoy coming from the Russian Federation.