Russia blocks decision on monitoring of Ukraine-Russia border

Speaking at the 27th OSCE Ministerial Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba noted that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission continues to record modern Russian weapon systems and Mission’s UAVs continue to spot the movement of military trucks across the border from Russia to the sovereign territory of Ukraine.

"We thank the 33 participating states that they joined us and co-sponsored a draft ministerial decision on the OSCE's ongoing monitoring of the areas adjacent to the uncontrolled section of Ukraine-Russia border," he said.

According to the minister, the establishment of such permanent monitoring, provided for in the Minsk Protocol signed by Russia, "could be another practical response of the OSCE to the ongoing conflict."

"Blocking this decision by one country, the Russian Federation, has once again demonstrated Moscow's reluctance to respect its obligations under the Minsk agreements, adhere to OSCE principles and respect Europe's borders," Kuleba said.

On Thursday, December 3, the two-day 27th OSCE Ministerial Council began via video conference format.

About 40 foreign ministers of the OSCE participating states are taking part in the main event of the Albania OSCE Chairmanship. Ukraine is represented by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

During the online meetings, the ministers will summarize the organization's activities in 2020 and review the security situation in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian regions.

Russian aggression against Ukraine is expected to be one of the main topics of the meetings.

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