The UN calls on the parties to the conflict in Donbas to comply with the ceasefire regime, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary Dicarlo has said.

"The United Nations continues to call upon the parties to ensure the full and immediate implementation of the ceasefire agreements and exercise utmost restraint in order to protect civilians. The priority of the parties should be to withdraw heavy weapons from populated areas without delay, disengage forces and protect civilian infrastructure. Any risk of escalation, provocation or miscalculation must also be avoided in regard to increased tensions in the Sea of Azov," she said at the UNSC meeting on Tuesday.

She urged all parties to display the necessary political will and recommit to the full implementation of the Minsk agreements to bring the conflict to an end.

She reported that on 7 September, the de facto entities in Donetsk and Luhansk announced the holding of so-called "leadership" elections scheduled for 11 November. "Despite Ukraine's objections, it is reported that both are still going ahead and ballots are being planned for "Head of Republic" and "People's Councils" for five-year terms," she said.

Noting that election-related matters are included as part of a comprehensive negotiation under the Minsk agreements, she cautioned that the votes, taken outside Ukraine's legal framework, would be incompatible with the peace process.