Brussels, 10/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - Referring to OSCE reports of convoys in separatist-held areas with substantial amounts of heavy weapons, tanks and troops without insignia moving westwards as a “very worrying development”, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, has called on Russia to prevent “any further movement of military, weapons or fighters from its territory into Ukraine” and to withdraw troops, weapons and equipment under its control. “I call on the Russian Federation to fully assume its responsibilities in this regard”, she said.
Mogherini argued that it is “imperative to avoid any re-escalation of hostilities”. “All parties must now show utmost restraint, strictly abide by their commitments under the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum, and re-engage in view of finding a peaceful sustainable solution based on respect for Ukraine's independence”, she explained. The High Representative stressed that Moscow must bring its influence to bear to ensure that the separatists implement in good faith the obligations they assumed in Minsk.
The ceasefire of 5 September, one of the results of the Minsk Protocol, is regularly violated.
On the evening of Saturday 8 November, observers from the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission noted the presence of more than 40 tanks and lorries driving on a motorway on the eastern outskirts of Makiïvka, near Donetsk. The vehicles included nine tanks, six tankers and 19 military vehicles of the Russian Kamaz mark, without registration plates, transporting 122 mm cannons and military personnel in dark green uniforms without insignia. These troop movements come shortly after night bombing raids in the region of Donetsk. (CG)