EU concerned about military equipment and personnel from Russia in Donbas

“We reiterate our deep concern regarding information about the presence of military equipment and personnel from Russia in the conflict zone. We call on Russia to immediately stop providing financial and military support to the armed formations,” reads the EU Statement on the Security Situation in and around Ukraine, delivered at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

As noted, the EU remains firm in its call on all sides to swiftly and fully implement the Minsk agreements and honour their commitments in full in order to achieve a sustainable political solution to the conflict in line with OSCE principles and commitments.

“We underline Russia’s responsibility in this regard and once again call on Russia to use its considerable influence over the armed formations it backs to meet these commitments in full. Respect for these principles and commitments must be restored,” the statement says.

In addition, the United States calls on Russia to fulfill the Minsk agreements and withdraw its forces from the territory of Ukraine.

“We call upon Russia to follow through on the commitments it made in Minsk in 2014 and in 2015, and to disengage and withdraw all of its forces from Ukraine. Progress on resolving this conflict can begin only after the fighting stops,” U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Harry R. Kamian said during the meeting.

He added that the United States considered “Minsk agreements in their entirety are the best way to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict instigated by Russia in the Donbas.”

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