OSCE Not Providing Clear Answer on Kiev's Withdrawal of Weapons

LUHANSK (Sputnik) – No serious progress nor clear answers received from the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) in Europe on Kiev’s withdrawal of heavy artillery from the frontlines in eastern Ukraine, the negotiator from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic said after a Contact Group video conference Tuesday.

“We have not been able to receive a clear answer from the OSCE representative on how Kiev’s withdrawal of heavy artillery is progressing or if they make it according to schedule,” Vladislav Deinego told RIA Novosti.

He added that there was not much progress made during today’s video conference, but said another video conference is planned soon.

“No serious progress was reached so far. I think that tomorrow or the day after we’ll hold another Skype conference,” Deneigo said.

On Sunday, East Ukraine's self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (DPR and LPR) said they had completed the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the line of contact in accordance with the Minsk agreements. DPR Militia Deputy Commander Eduard Basurin stressed, however, that the Ukrainian army had withdrawn just 15 percent of its heavy weaponry, as of Saturday.

On Monday, Basurin said that Kiev’s foot-dragging on the weapons' pullback could hinder the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements, saying that Kiev forces did not specify the quantity nor the location of where their weapons were stored.

The warring sides in eastern Ukraine first agreed to withdraw heavy weaponry in September 2014. Despite the agreement, clashes continued and intensified in early 2015.

Another Minsk meeting on Ukrainian reconciliation ended on February 12, with leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France concluding an accord on crisis resolution. The 13-point deal foresees the implementation of a ceasefire, in force since February 15, heavy weaponry withdrawal and an “all-for all” prisoner swap.