OSCE Chairperson-in-Office calls for full implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures
BELGRADE, 18 February 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dačić, welcomed the adoption of the UNSCR 2202 and reiterated the need for full and unconditional compliance by all signatories of the Minsk Document with the comprehensive ceasefire agreed in Minsk on 12...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 17 February
This report is for media and the general public. The SMM continued monitoring the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted due to security considerations – noted that there had been heavy fighting in and around the Debaltseve-Horlivka area....
OSCE Chairperson Dačić pledges support for reforms as he visits Mission to Skopje
SKOPJE, 18 February 2015 – OSCE Chairperson in Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today pledged support in building democracy and promoting reforms as he visited the OSCE Mission to Skopje, accompanied by High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors. Stressing OSCE commitments to the country and its people,...
The Next European Flashpoints
The most pressing task for the West is to help Ukraine defend itself and survive economic catastrophe. But the West also needs a broader strategy to discourage future Russian coercion of neighbors, help them protect themselves, and counter President Vladimir Putin’s false narrative about Western intentions and lack of political will....
Spot report by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), 18 February 2015: SMM facilitates dialogue on ceasefire and access to Debaltseve
This report is provided for the media and general public On 17 February, the SMM went to the headquarters of the JCCC, temporarily relocated to Soledar (77km north of Donetsk, government-controlled). The SMM was present at four video conference sessions with the Russian General formerly representing the Russian Federation at the JCCC, the Russian...
Statement on the rejection of Russia’s designation of Olga Kovitidi as a Member of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
VIENNA, 18 February 2015 – The Bureau of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly today unanimously rejected the Russian Federation’s designation of Olga Kovitidi as a Member of the OSCE PA. Ms. Kovitidi was identified by the Russian Federation as a Member of the Federation Council representing the so-called government of Crimea. The Bureau made its...
OSCE Secretary General concludes visit to Ukraine
Communication and Media Relations Section On 13 February 2015 the OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier concluded a three-day working visit to Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk. During the visit, Zannier held meetings with government officials, representatives of the regional administration and civil society. In Dnipropetrovsk, he visited the Centre for...
The too little, too late presidency
With the supposed cease-fire in eastern Ukraine a mirage, the White House can soon be expected to return to its public pondering of whether to supply Kiev’s military with lethal aid to fend off the Russian-backed insurgency. If President Obama finally does decide to send antitank weapons and other hardware the Ukrainians have pleaded for,...
Russia-Backed Rebels Seize Debaltseve, Putin Visits an EU Ally
Plus, Croatia’s ex-president is implicated in a Finnish bribery trial, and falling water in Lake Baikal sets off alarms. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Seeking a Golden Ticket out of Eastern Ukraine
In addition to shelling, those fleeing besieged towns now have to contend with paperwork. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
