OSCE Chairperson Says Monitors Still Denied Access to Debaltseve

VIENNA (Sputnik) — The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) still has no access to the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltseve, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ivica Dacic said Wednesday.

“It is the responsibility of all signatories of the Minsk documents to ensure the safety, security and unhindered access to all areas and freedom of movement of the Special Monitoring Mission monitors on the ground. Reports of the SMM on denied access to the area in and around Debaltseve are alarming,” Dacic said in a report, adding that the independence supporters should allow access to monitors without delay.

Dacic also called for full and unconditional implementation of the Minsk agreements reached by Russian, Ukrainian, German and French leaders during the Normandy format meeting on February 12.

The international mediators agreed on a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine that came into force on February 15, but clashes in Debaltseve still continue.

OSCE monitors have been deployed in southeastern Ukraine since March 2014 after an escalation of tensions between Kiev forces and independence supporters. They are closely watching the situation in the conflict regions and publish daily reports.