OSCE: Situation in eastern Ukraine remains ‘close to unstable’

The security situation along the contact line in eastern Ukraine is considered to be “close to unstable” even though the last two weeks have shown a slight decrease in ceasefire violations.

This is underscored in the press statement of Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen, made after the regular meetings of the TCG ‎and its Working Groups held through video conferencing on October 13.

“The security situation along the contact line is considered to be close to unstable even though the last two weeks have shown a slight decrease in cease fire violations reported by SMM compared to the previous two weeks period,” reads the statement.

According to Kinnunen, the meeting participants were “informed about a developing incident that took place at Zolote-Pervomaisk disengagement area”. “While it is important to avoid any further escalation at this point, every effort should be undertaken to ensure such incidents do not repeat themselves in the future,” the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine said.

The participants in the Security Working Group discussed ways to reduce the violence along the contact line to avoid civilian and military casualties as well as damage to civilian infrastructure. “Unfortunately, the participants did not achieve a common standpoint,” reads the statement.

The Political Working Group continued its discussion on a draft action plan in full compliance with the Minsk agreements.

“The meeting of the Humanitarian Working Group could not convene due to the controversy on an expert appointment. I expressed hope that at the next meeting the Working Group will be able to advance on the important issues on its agenda, namely missing persons, the mutual release of detainees and freedom of movement along the line of contact,” Kinnunen said.

The Economic Working Group “focused on questions related to water deliveries to certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine (CADLO)”. In this context, particular attention was paid to the company KP Voda Donbassa and its operations in CADO. Moreover, participants discussed pension payments as well as ecological issues.

“Recent limitations imposed by CALO to cross contact line travelling and their possible repercussions were brought up and discussed in the plenary meeting,” the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group informed.

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