Borrell: Russia must provide OSCE with unimpeded access to occupied Donbas

Russia and the armed formations it backs must provide safe and unimpeded access for the OSCE, international non-governmental and humanitarian organizations to the territories in Donbas, which are temporarily beyond control of the Ukrainian Government, especially amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said this during a press conference following the informal meeting of EU development ministers held via videoconference, answering questions from an Ukrinform correspondent.

“The European Union has always strongly supported the work of the OSCE in eastern Ukraine. In the context of coronavirus pandemic, it is even more important that the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) be fully respected by Russia and the armed formations it backs. This mission should gain safe and unimpeded access throughout Ukraine, including, of course, those parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions that are now beyond the control of the Ukrainian Government,” the High Representative of the EU stressed.

He recalled that not only the OSCE, but also international non-governmental organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross should be given full and safe access to these territories in order to provide humanitarian assistance to people.

 "We continue to contact all actors to resolve the situation. I emphasize that all of these missions must gain safe and unimpeded access throughout Ukraine, including parts of it that are currently beyond control of the Government,” Borrell said.

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