17:26 04.02.2016

Ukraine won't open Zaitseve checkpoint, may close other checkpoints in Donbas if attacks don't stop

2 min read
Ukraine won't open Zaitseve checkpoint, may close other checkpoints in Donbas if attacks don't stop

The Ukrainian State Border Guard Service reiterated that it would be inappropriate to re-open the Zaitseve checkpoint, located at the division point, before the attacks stop and the situation stabilizes.

"One cannot talk about opening before the situation stabilizes. The operation of the Zaitseve checkpoint has been suspended indefinitely, until the situation stabilizes," Oleh Slobodian, press officer for the head of the Ukrainian Border Guard service, said at a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday.

He warned that "if the same tendency continues on other tracks for citizens who go through checkpoints, if threats to their life and health arise, then, of course, decisions may be made to close the checkpoints on other tracks."

Slobodian said the opening of new checkpoints on the division line has been discussed, and has not been taken off the agenda.

"Border guards issue recommendations on the most expedient tracks and how it's better to arrange them within their terms of reference. However, decisions are still made by military-civilian administrations and the headquarters of the anti-terrorist operation," he said.

He said the main factor that now constraints the process is the intensification of the pro-Russian units in eastern Ukraine.

According to earlier reports, the Zaitseve checkpoint suspended operations at the decision of the headquarters of the special operation of the Ukrainian military, on February 3.

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