UN urges for ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine

UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said that a lasting and durable ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine remains an urgent priority.

"A lasting and durable ceasefire remains an urgent priority," she said at a Security Council meeting on Ukraine, voicing regret that discussions on recommitting to a ceasefire during the Trilateral Contact Group’s meeting in Minsk were inconclusive.

DiCarlo noted that the UN commends the Ukrainian people on the peaceful conduct of the recent presidential election.

"The United Nations expects that the spirit and the letter of the Minsk agreements will be respected by all concerned," Xinhua cited DiCarlo as saying.

The Under-Secretary-General urged all parties to avoid any unilateral steps that may potentially undermine the implementation of these agreements and to address concerns through constructive dialogue in the existing negotiation formats.