Opening of new checkpoints in Donbas depends on security situation in region - OSCE SMM deputy chief monitor

18:19, 18.03.2016 1 min read

The opening of new checkpoints between the territories of the self-proclaimed Donbas republics and Ukraine will be possible after security is ensured in these regions, Deputy Chief Monitor of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission (OSCE SMM) on Ukraine, Alexander Hug, has said.

It is important that the situation surrounding the contact line is normalized, only after the situation returns to normal will it be possible to open new checkpoints, Hug told Interfax on Friday.

He said that both sides should bear responsibility for those people, who are crossing the frontline. The long-term closure of these checkpoints does not help people, he said.

A truce is needed to be established, pull back weapons, demine the territory, in which the people will be traveling, and in this case it will be possible to open new checkpoints, Hug said.