EU: All foreign armed formations and mercenaries must be removed from Ukraine

The European Union commends the Ukrainian leadership for its unwavering commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Donbas.

This is underscored in the EU Statement on “Russia’s Ongoing Aggression against Ukraine and Illegal Occupation of Crimea” which was made public at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

 “We commend the Ukrainian leadership for its unwavering commitment to the peaceful conflict resolution and call on Russia and the armed formation it backs to act likewise,” reads the statement.

The European Union reaffirmed its position that “the full Ukrainian control over its state border is essential for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.” In addition, it was stated that “all foreign armed formations, military equipment and mercenaries must be removed from Ukraine.”

As noted, the EU remains firm in its call on all sides to swiftly and fully implement the Minsk agreements and honour their commitments in full in order to achieve a sustainable political solution to the conflict in line with OSCE principles and commitments.

 “We call on Russia to fully assume its responsibility in this regard and to use its considerable influence over the armed formations it backs to meet the Minsk commitments in full. Respect for these principles and commitments must be restored. We again call on Russia to immediately stop fuelling the conflict by providing financial and military support to the armed formations, and we remain deeply concerned about the presence of Russian military equipment and personnel in areas held by Russia-backed armed formations. The duration of the European Union’s economic sanctions against Russia is linked to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements,” the statement highlights.

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