NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hopes for the withdrawal of heavy arms and troops from the conflict zone in Donbas as the ceasefire regime continues to be observed in eastern Ukraine.

The mere fact that the ceasefire is still intact, in Stoltenberg's view, is more evidence of the possibility that it will make separatists respect the outcomes of the Minsk agreements, continue to observe the ceasefire, and withdraw heavy arms and troops illegally present in the Ukrainian territory, acting under the aegis of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and under the control of the OSCE. Stoltenberg voiced this view when speaking at the Tuesday meeting of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.