The security group discussed the process of violations elimination in previously disengaged areas at the meeting — DPR Foreign Ministry

At today’s meeting of the group for security issues, at the initiative of the republics, they discussed the process of implementing the commitments of the parties to the conflict to eliminate violations in the previously disengaged areas, as well as practical issues related to it, including the preparation of a draft supplement to the Trilateral Contact Group’s Framework Decision on the withdrawal of forces and equipment, the press service of the DPR Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.

According to the implementation roadmap, the phase of the three-day withdrawal of troops from the line of contact was completed today at 1 p.m. Moscow time in the Petrovskoye area. At the moment, the parties are waiting for a report on verification from the OSCE SMM.

“It seems clear that there is some progress in this process. However, in accordance with the implementation roadmap, there are still plans to carry out lengthy work on such areas of activity as the humanitarian clearance of mines and other explosive items, the synchronous and mirror-like dismantlement of fortifications and other military facilities, the removal of non-explosive obstacles in the disengaged area, etc. Here, Ukraine needs to demonstrate the necessary political will and fulfil its commitments,” DPR plenipotentiary Natalya Nikonorova told.

She also focused on the significant increase in ceasefire violations by Ukraine and the negative consequences of these actions for civilians and civil infrastructure.

“We are deeply convinced that the lack of effective mechanisms for conducting investigations and bringing those responsible to justice for violating the Minsk Agreements, which only encourages impunity of Ukraine’s armed formations, has an extremely negative impact on the situation,” Natalya Nikonorova explained.

According to her, the unfounded statements from the Ukrainian government regarding the deployment of the police and nationalist battalions into the neutral zone are unacceptable, as this is a direct violation of the Framework Decision and the supplement to the Complex of Measures.