The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine takes note of the OSCE PC Decision on the extension until 31 October of the deployment of OSCE observers to two Russian checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian Border “Gukovo” and “Donetsk”, adopted on 20 July.

We regret over the position of the Russian Federation that remains alone in the OSCE in opposing expansion of the mandate of the Mission to all sections of the border adjacent to certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine that are temporarily not under control of the Ukrainian authorities. In this regard, the Ukrainian Delegation to the OSCE made an interpretative statement in connection with the above decision.

We call upon the Russian Federation to demonstrate its full commitment to the implementation of the Minsk agreements, including ensuring comprehensive and permanent border monitoring by the OSCE, which is crucial for de-escalation in Donbas. 

INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER PARAGRAPH IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE

By the delegation of Ukraine:

„Mr. Chairperson,

In connection with the PC Decision on the extension of the deployment of OSCE observers to two Russian checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian Border, the Delegation of Ukraine would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1 (A) 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The Delegation of Ukraine consistently reiterates the importance of having a substantial and broad OSCE monitoring on the Russian side of the Ukrainian-Russian border adjacent to certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine. It is not a matter of “good-will” on the part of Russia, but a matter of implementation of undertaken commitments.

Having signed the Minsk Protocol of 5 September 2014, the Russian Federation undertook to ensure permanent monitoring of the Ukrainian-Russian state border and its verification by the OSCE with the formation of a security zone in the border areas of Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

Expanding the mandate of the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian checkpoints “Gukovo” and “Donetsk” to all sections of the border adjacent to certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine is critical for sustainable de-escalation and peaceful resolution of the conflict, started by Russia.

We deeply regret that the Russian Federation continues to oppose expansion of the mandate of the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian checkpoints “Gukovo” and “Donetsk” to all sections of the border that is temporarily not under control of the Ukrainian authorities. Such obstruction on the part of Russia can only be attributed to its unchanged position on continuing its aggression against Ukraine in Donbas, including by supplying heavy weapons, military equipment, regular troops, fighters and mercenaries, sponsoring and financing terrorist acts in the territory of Ukraine. We emphasize that these actions by Russia constitute internationally wrongful acts, which entail international responsibility of the Russian Federation. We reiterate our call on Russia to cease these acts, to offer appropriate assurances of their non-repetition, as well as to make full reparation for the injury caused thereby.

In this connection the Delegation of Ukraine recalls that Russia has not responded to requests for explanations on the OSCE SMM reported presence in the certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine of sophisticated modern Russian weapons and military equipment, including the jamming system R-330 “Zhitel”, heavy flame-thrower system “Buratino”, portable flame-thrower “Shmel”, “Grad‑P”, UAV “Orlan-10”, used exclusively by the Russian Armed Forces.

We call upon the Russian Federation to demonstrate its full commitment to the implementation of the Minsk agreements in good faith and to allow comprehensive permanent monitoring by the OSCE on the Russian side of the Ukrainian-Russian state border adjacent to the certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts with establishment of a security zone in border areas of Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

The Delegation of Ukraine requests that this statement be attached to the decision and registered in the journal of the day.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson”.