VIENNA, June 30 (RIA Novosti) - The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will increase the number of international monitors in Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk regions only if the security situation improves, according to the deputy chief monitor of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.
"We need weapons to disappear, we need checkpoints to disappear and we need freedom of movement," Alexander Hug stressed Monday at a press conference following the release of two teams of the OSCE monitors.
The OSCE official stressed that even though there are still certain risks for monitors working in Ukraine’s restive regions the organization maintains a presence in Luhansk and Donetsk.
The OSCE recently decided to reduce the number of international monitors in Ukraine citing security concerns and multiple detentions of its teams in the country.
The organization confirmed last week that two teams of its observers detained late May in Ukraine’s southeast have been released.
Moscow welcomed the release of the monitors and expressed hope that the OSCE mission would continue its work in Ukraine.
