The Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) welcomed the deal to establish the New Year ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, reached by the Contact Group on Ukrainian settlement.
The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and to the Trilateral Contact Group, Martin Sajdik, and the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), Ertugrul Apakan, issued a joint statement.
"A meaningful, sustainable and long-lasting ceasefire requires that orders to cease fire are issued, discipline is maintained and the safe and secure access of the OSCE SMM throughout Ukraine is ensured in accordance with its mandate. Promises made to people in eastern Ukraine must be kept," TASS cited Sajdik as saying.
Ambassador Apakan, in his turn, expressed hope that the recommitment would minimize risk to the civilian population.
On December 27, members of the security subgroup of the Contact Group on settling the conflict in eastern Ukraine agreed on a New Year ceasefire. According to a negotiator representing the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic, Vladislav Deinego, the ceasefire will begin on December 29.
