MINSK, 31 January 2015 – The participants in the Trilateral Contact Group came to Minsk for consultations with the representatives of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The TCG had prepared a detailed plan for the concrete implementation of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum, which continue to be the indispensable basis for any peaceful settlement.
Unfortunately, the signatories of these documents from Donetsk and
Luhansk did not participate, although they had been personally invited
by the Trilateral Contract Group. Their representatives who were
present were not in a position to discuss the proposal put forward by
the TCG. In fact, they were not even prepared to discuss implementation
of a ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weapons. Instead, they called
for revision of the Protocol and Memorandum. The meeting was adjourned.
The TCG remains open to continuing consultations at any time. In view
of the seriously deteriorating situation and growing numbers of
casualties, the TCG calls on all actors involved to engage responsibly
in the comprehensive implementation of the Minsk documents with no
further delays.
