Debaltseve attacks contradict Minsk deals - OSCE SMM
KYIV. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Attempts to change the existing status quo in the conflict zone around Debaltseve run counter to the Minsk accords, says Alexander Hug, deputy head of the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Speaking at a press conference in Kramatorsk on Monday evening, he recalled that five months ago all parties had agreed to cease fire and refrain from attacks. On February 12 the parties agreed to implement a comprehensive ceasefire from midnight on February 15, not a partial, temporary or half-deal, but a comprehensive ceasefire, Hug said. Violation of the letter and spirit of these agreements jeopardizes the other measures agreed upon in Minsk, and any attempts to create so-called new facts on the ground, and in particular any attack, run counter to the essence of this agreement, the SMM official said.
He said that on the evening of February 16 he met with Ukrainian and Russian generals at a provisional headquarters in the city of Soledar. He expressed his hope that as the heads of the Joint Coordination Center the generals will be jointly controlling and coordinating the ceasefire as quickly as possible. With Ukraine and Russia being among the 57 members states which sent the SMM to monitor the situation here, Hug said he is convinced that the Mission should be able to fulfill its mandate.