The Ukrainian representatives in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Donbas believe that the armed provocation of Russia-backed separatists on Feb. 18 in the Luhansk region indicate a desire to disrupt the implementation of the agreements reached by the leaders of the Normandy Four countries in Paris and may call into question the peace process.
“A particularly egregious violation of Feb. 18, 2020 was the attempt of the illegal armed formations in certain areas of Luhansk region to organize a provocation that could call into question the process of a peaceful settlement in Donbas. Although ,the discussion of the issue of additional conflict sites continues, the Ukrainian side firmly emphasized: the attempt to break through on Feb. 18, 2020 indicates a desire to disrupt the implementation of the agreements of the Normanfy Four country leaders in Paris,” wrote a spokeswoman for the second president of Ukraine, the representative of Ukraine in the TCG Leonid Kuchma, Daria Olifer following the results of the TCG visit to Minsk on Feb. 26.
According to her, Ukraine called on the Russian Federation to ensure a ceasefire, to open new checkpoints on the contact line, to release the detainees, to provide access to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
“I emphasize once again: without the security component of the Minsk accords being implemented, there can be no significant progress in the situation in Donbas. No political changes are possible without a complete and comprehensive ceasefire, the withdrawal of armed formations and military equipment, and addressing issue of establishing control over the Ukrainian-Russian border,” noted Olifer.
As reported, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, four were injured and another two were shell-shocked as a result of the attack of the Russia-led armed groups on the positions of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in Donbas on Feb. 18.
