Russia hasn't withdrawn troops, arms from Donbas, violence may resume- NATO Secretary General

12:07, 02.12.2015 1 min read

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has expressed his concern over the risk of the deterioration of the situation in Donbas, and has also said that the Minsk agreements have been only partially fulfilled.

"There has been some progress on implementation of the Minsk agreements. But the situation is still fragile. Russia has not withdrawn its troops or its equipment. The illegal separatist groups are yet to be disarmed. And Ukraine still does not have full control over its own borders. Ceasefire violations have recently increased. So we see a real risk of a resumption of violence," Stoltenberg said opening a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission in Brussels on Wednesday.

In this connection the secretary general stressed the importance of the full implementation of Minsk agreements.

"NATO has been supporting Ukraine politically as well as practically, including by setting up Trust Funds, to enable Ukraine to better defend itself and to strengthen and reform its institutions. We strongly encourage Ukraine to continue along the path of reform," Stoltenberg said.