On last Friday’s Normandy Four meeting, the minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia expressed his concern due to the escalation of violence in eastern Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
Sergei Lavrov, Russian minister of Foreign Affairs, took part of the briefing over Ukrainian conflict in the last briefing of the so-called Normandy Four group. There, he claimed his will that the latest escalation of violence in the regions of Donetsk ad Lugansk will soon be halted.
The official also informed of clear violations to the Minsk agreements regarding weaponry withdrawal and ceasefire on both Ukrainian army and pro-Russian separatists’ sides. For that reason, he praised the work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) on trying to cut short occasional violations.
Lavrov also expressed that in case elections are organized in East Ukraine, it’s necessary to define the region´s special status first.
Humanitarian situation in Donetsk and Lugansk was also part of Lavrov’s concerns due to the ongoing blockade in the region held by Ukrainian authorities affecting numerous basic services provision. For that reason Lavrov stated that the work of humanitarian organizations in the region must be guaranteed with the cooperation of the authorities of DPR and LPR.
Written by Lisbeth Mechter
