Ukraine at OSCE calls for creation of security zone on both sides of border in Donbas

"Restoring border control remains a key element of the conflict settlement process. Establishing a security zone in the border areas of both countries under OSCE’s constant monitoring and verification on the border, as provided for in the Minsk Protocol, would be a step in the right direction. Ukraine suggests creating a working group on border issues within the TCG," Ihor Lossovskyi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to International Organizations in Vienna said during an online meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation on Wednesday, June 3.

The Ukrainian diplomat underscored the need to implement the results of the Normandy summit in Paris, which Russia continues to ignore.

Ukraine adheres to security-first approach in peaceful settlement, supports the elaboration of a new comprehensive ceasefire regime, and calls on Russia to hold constructive talks within the TCG on this issue, he stated.

In addition, Ukraine is ready to discuss compromises within the TCG on a package solution, which concerns three new areas of disengagement of forces and hardware in Donbas.

The Ukrainian side also calls on Russia to fulfill the commitments on opening “Zolote” entry-exit checkpoint on the contact line, which was made at the summit in Berlin in 2016.

"Ukraine offers a draft roadmap involving a ‘mirror’ approach towards opening new checkpoints in Zolote (previously agreed) and Shchastia (not yet agreed) at the same time," Lossovskyi said.

In addition, Ukraine calls on Russia to demonstrate constructiveness in agreeing on a mine action plan within the TCG as the Russian side has blocked Ukrainian initiatives three times already.

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