The spokesman for the European External Action Service (EEAS) called on Wednesday 25 March for international organisations to be given access to non-government controlled areas in Ukraine.
Since 21 March, separatists at checkpoints in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions have denied patrols of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) passage to areas not controlled by the Government. UN agencies, non-governmental organisations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also face difficulties in accessing these areas.
“It is crucial that Russia and the armed formations that it backs allow the OSCE SMM, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations and the ICRC freedom of movement across the contact line”, the EEAS spokesman warned in a statement.
He recalled that the OSCE mission, whose mandate was extended for one year on 20 March, needed to have “safe, secure and unhindered access throughout Ukraine, including parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions temporarily outside government control”, in accordance with its mandate.
Recalling that the mission had adapted its surveillance activities in response to the COVID-19 outbreak “to ensure the continued safety of all”, the spokesman said that in the current circumstances, it is even more essential that humanitarian aid to people in areas not controlled by the government continues to be delivered. Crossing points have been closed to the population in order to contain the coronavirus crisis.
Important developments have recently taken place in the Trilateral Contact Group, including discussions on the exchange of detainees and the definition of new disengagement zones, and Russia must not jeopardise “this constructive spirit” by creating new restrictions, the spokesman warned. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)