Spokesperson for OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine releases a statement

Michael Bociurkiw, Spokesperson for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine released a statement, which especilly says:

“We can confirm that we accepted an invitation by the Ukrainian side for SMM monitors to observe Ukrainian and Russian military officers in Soledar today in their preliminary talks.

SMM monitors were there in line with their mandate. The purpose was to listen to all sides, evaluate the possible contribution the SMM may play and to be helpful for the effective implementation of a ceasefire.

We stand ready to support the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum, which established concrete steps to be taken to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine.

We hope that any arrangement arrived at the talks will contribute to the establishment of an effective ceasefire – one that will bring an end to the bloodshed and pave the way for the normalization and stabilization of Ukraine”.