The ministry has described deadly incident with an OSCE SMM car as a
provocation aimed at breaking down the settlement process in Donbass
MOSCOW, April 23. /TASS/. Russia’s foreign ministry has described Sunday’s deadly incident with an OSCE SMM (Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine) car as a provocation.
MOSCOW, April 23. /TASS/. Russia’s foreign ministry has described Sunday’s deadly incident with an OSCE SMM (Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine) car as a provocation.
"The
circumstances of the incident indicate a high probability of a provocation
geared at breaking down the settlement process in Donbass. Obviously, such
incidents and the general escalation of tensions are in the interests of those
who are reluctant to implement political, economic and humanitarian provisions
of the Minsk Package of Measures," the ministry said in a statement on
Sunday.
The Russian foreign ministry called on the parties to the conflict to embark on a direct dialogue that is to result in the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
"Once
again, we call for more active direct talks between the parties to the
conflict, i.e. Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk, within the Contact Group to ensure
complete implementation of the Package of Measures [on the implementation of
the Minsk agreements] which is the only basis for the Donbass settlement,"
the ministry said.
The
ministry expressed sincere condolences to the family of the US citizen, an
employee of a medical company working under a contract with the OSCE, who was
killed in the incident. The ministry also wished soonest recovery to those
injured and called for a thorough and unbiased investigation of the incident.
"We are resentful at this cynical action that claimed a human live and
that was aimed against the international monitors working there for the sake of
peace. We call for a thorough and objective investigation and demand those responsible
be called to justice," the ministry said.
"This
incident has revealed an acute necessity to duly ensure security for OSCE
monitors, which is fixed in the mission’s mandate and has been noted by the
Normandy Four leaders more than once, including during their latest telephone
conversation on April 17," the ministry stressed.
A patrol
car of the OSCE SMM drove into a mine near the village of Prishib in the
self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR). The mission said one monitor
had been killed and two more had been wounded.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office
Sebastian Kurz said in a conversation with the Chief Monitor of the OSCE SMM to
Ukraine Ertugul Apakan that the incident needs a thorough investigation.
According
to the LPR’s militias, the patrol car deviated from its route. The LPR Ministry
of State Security said a Ukrainian subversive group was behind the incident.
Source: ITAR-TASS 24-04-2017
