Statement of the Ukrainian delegation at 1086th meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in connection with the decision on extension of deployment of OSCE observers to two Russian checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian border

OSCE Permanent Council Nr 1086^th   

Vienna, 21 January 2016

Interpretative statement under Paragraph IV.1 (A) 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation 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 Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The Delegation of Ukraine reiterates the importance of substantial and broad OSCE monitoring on the Russian side of the Ukrainian-Russian border in zones adjacent to the certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. 

Having signed the Minsk Protocol of 5 September 2014, all signatories including 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 regions is critical for sustainable de-escalation and peaceful resolution of the situation in Donbas.

We regret that the Russian Federation has again objected to the 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 persistent reluctance on the part of Russia can only be attributed to its unchanged intention to continue intervention in Ukraine’s Donbas, including by sending heavy weapons, military equipment, regular troops, fighters and mercenaries, sponsoring the terrorist activities in the territory of Ukraine. As repeatedly emphasized in the formal communications of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, these actions by Russia constitute internationally wrongful acts, which entail international responsibility. We continue to urge Russia to immediately cease these acts.

In this regard it is notable, in particular, that for months Russia has been unable to provide explanations on the presence in the occupied areas of Donbas of sophisticated modern Russian weaponry, including TOS-1 “Buratino” and radio-electronic jamming system R-330 “Zhytel”, 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 proper and comprehensive permanent monitoring by the OSCE on the Russian side of the Ukrainian-Russian state border adjacent to the areas in Donbas which presently are not controlled by the authorities of Ukraine. 

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”.

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