OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier has said that the conflict in eastern Ukraine is a challenge not only for the country, but also for Europe as a whole.

At a joint meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Security and Defense of the European Parliament, he stressed that Russia had in particular breached the guarantees of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including special guarantees provided by Russia to Ukraine in connection with the demilitarization of the latter.

Zannier said the OSCE cannot provide any assistance other than being a mediator in the search for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Although the political process has been launched, the situation on the ground continues to cause concern, he added.

Zannier said that OSCE observers have reported that the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is still generally observed, however hundreds of violations of the ceasefire have been registered.