09:18 30.03.2017

OSCE special rep confirms agreements on ceasefire in Donbas from April 1, withdrawal of forces near Stanytsia Luhanska on April 6

2 min read
OSCE special rep confirms agreements on ceasefire in Donbas from April 1, withdrawal of forces near Stanytsia Luhanska on April 6

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Representative in the Trilateral Contact Group for Ukraine Martin Sajdik has confirmed that the ceasefire in Donbas starting from April 6 was agreed upon at a meeting on Wednesday.

The sides agreed on the ceasefire and the withdrawal of hardware starting from April 1, Sajdik told reporters.

They also agreed on the disengagement of forces and equipment near Stanytsia Luhanska from April 6, he said.

Sajdik expressed regret about the lack of progress in resolving the economic issues between the parties in conflict. The economic issues are taking the center stage recently, he said, adding that he regrets that the situation in this sector is not developing in the right direction.

Darka Olifer, spokesperson for Ukraine's envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group and former President Leonid Kuchma, in turn, said that working hours of checkpoints on the separation line between the sides in Donbas will be extended during the days for commemoration of the dead.

"In addition, a significant acceleration of the procedure of crossing the contact line at checkpoints is planned from April 1, for the commemorative days, in particular, working hours of checkpoints are planned to be extended in morning and evenings," she said on Facebook on Wednesday evening.

Russia's special envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group Boris Gryzlov said earlier on Wednesday that as a result of the negotiations held in Minsk on Wednesday, the sides agreed on the statement confirming that the Minsk Agreements have no alternative and the determination to observe the complete ceasefire from midnight on April 1, 2017 over the Easter holidays.

The Contact Group once again set the date of the disengagement of forces and hardware in Stanytsia Luhanska on April 6, 2017, he said.

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