PRESS RELEASE

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office strongly condemns latest surge in violence, urges sides to immediately halt use of force

BELGRADE, 18 January 2015 – Following the severe and increased deterioration of the situation over recent days in the east of Ukraine, in particular at and around Donetsk Airport, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today strongly condemned the use of force, expressed his utmost concern and urged all sides in Ukraine to use maximum restraint and work towards achieving a sustainable ceasefire.

“This cycle of deadly violence and further escalation of hostilities cannot continue. All sides should refrain from belligerence, intimidation, and provocative actions.”

“I urge all sides involved in the conflict to immediately invest their efforts in de-escalating tensions, to respect the ceasefire and to proactively engage with the OSCE on achieving full implementation of the Minsk documents.”  All the points of contention need to be addressed by the Trilateral Contact Group, not on a battleground, stressed Dačić. He also called on all sides to fully respect safety and security of SMM monitors on the ground.

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