The Trilateral Contact Group for settling the crisis in eastern Ukraine demands that the ceasefire in Donbas be preserved, OSCE Special Envoy for Ukraine Martin Sajdik told journalists.

The Contact Group members welcome the fact that the ceasefire in Donbas has chiefly been observed of late, which in particular, made it possible to start the school year, Sajdik said.

The Trilateral Contact Group expects this positive trend to help make progress in resolving issues discussed by the political, economic, security and humanitarian subgroups, he said.

The Contact Group welcomes progress in the work of the security subgroup regarding the plans to withdraw tanks and mortars smaller than 120mm in caliber, and artillery pieces smaller than 100mm in caliber, he said.

The security subgroup was continuing to work on a document on the withdrawal of troops in Minsk, Sajdik said.