OSCE Special Monitoring Mission Chief Monitor welcomes renewed commitment to cease fire in eastern Ukraine

KYIV, 26 March 2018 - Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine Ertugrul Apakan today welcomed the renewed commitment to the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.

This latest recommitment, due to take effect at 00:01 (Kyiv time) on 30 March, follows an earlier one made by the Trilateral Contact Group and other signatories of the Minsk agreements on 28 February. Since it came into effect on 5 March, the OSCE SMM has registered significantly fewer ceasefire violations. In recent days, however, there has been an increase in the number of such violations recorded.

“We call upon the sides to fully comply with their commitments,” said Chief Monitor Apakan. “They must not miss this opportunity for a sustainable ceasefire.”