Assembly.coe.int. Reacting to the recent escalation of violence in Eastern Ukraine which, in particular, has already lead to heavy casualties among civilians in Donetsk and in Mariupol, PACE President Anne Brasseur reiterated her call on all sides to stop the fighting and respect the Minsk Cease-fire Agreement and Protocol.
“While diplomatic efforts have been recently intensified, I am seriously alarmed by renewed violence and provocative rhetoric that puts the Minsk peace process in danger. Ahead of the Assembly’s forthcoming part-session starting on Monday, I call on all sides, especially on politicians, to live up to their responsibilities. The Minsk Peace Process is our chance to stop the war, as the Cease-fire agreement and Protocol were signed by the representatives on all sides. Therefore, I call for the immediate halt to military operations, the withdrawal of troops and heavy weapons, as well as the liberation of all hostages and detained persons,” emphasized the PACE President.