BRUSSELS - The European Union Council on Nov. 17 urged all the conflicting parties in Ukraine to fully abide by the Minsk accords as part of an effort to find a sustainable solution to the crisis.
The EU Council reiterates European support for the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum as a step towards a sustainable political solution to the crisis, based on respect for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the EU Council said in a statement. All the parties must implement the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum in full and without delay, it says, making special mention of Russia’s responsibility in this context.
The EU Council urged an end to the continuing violations of the ceasefire, withdrawal of all illegal formations, foreign troops, mercenaries and military hardware, and permanent monitoring of the Ukrainian-Russian border by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
The EU Council also said that the elections in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics will not be recognized as they are at variance with the letter and spirit of the Minsk accords. The EU Council is urging Russia to assume responsibility in this connection, the statement says.
All the parties should work to organize early local elections in these parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts in compliance with the Ukrainian legislation and Minsk agreements, the EU Council said.
