Kiev, pro-Russians agree on heavy arms withdrawal: OSCE
The Ukrainian government and pro-Russia forces have reached an agreement on the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontline in crisis-hit eastern Ukraine, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says.
“The text has been coordinated, an agreement was reached on the pullout of tanks and weapons with caliber of up to 100 mm,” OSCE Chairman Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday.
He made the remarks following a meeting of the trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine – which is comprised of the representatives of the Ukrainian government, Russia, and pro-Russia forces under the auspices of the OSCE – in the Belarusian capital, Minsk.
Kiev and the pro-Russians had earlier agreed to withdraw heavy weapons during February peace talks in Minsk. The warring sides, however, accuse each other of continuing to use heavy artillery.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Dacic said the talks ended with no tangible progress on the issue of holding local elections in Ukraine’s east.
“Local elections fall into these key questions, as they will contribute to the stabilization and normalization of the situation, but we have not made any significant progress on this issue,” the official said.
He further said that the humanitarian and economic issues should be dealt with prior to the local elections in eastern Ukraine.
The Donbass region in eastern Ukraine, comprising of the two mainly Russian-speaking regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, has been the scene of deadly clashes between pro-Russians and the Ukrainian army since Kiev’s military operation started in April 2014 in a bid to crush pro-Russia protests there.
The crisis has so far left 6,500 people dead and 16,000 others injured, according to the United Nations.
Ukraine’s Zelensky pleas for Patriot missiles, NATO membership
Russian forces take over village in Donetsk: Report
Russia says shot down 17 Ukrainian drones
Iran says IsDB approved its proposal for preferential financing
Persian Gulf security to be ensured with participation of littoral states only: Iran
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Palestinian author jailed by Israel receives prestigious award
VIDEO | Iran celebrates Persian Gulf Day
Holocaust expert: Israel committing genocide in Gaza
Australia ‘s Jewish Council warns against labeling pro-Palestine demos ‘anti-Semitic’
Russia’s Navalny did not die on Putin’s order: US intelligence
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
