BRUSSELS – One needs to urgently show political will in order to fully respect the ceasefire and withdraw heavy weapons in eastern Ukraine, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini told Interfax in an interview ahead of her visit to Russia, which is the first one since she took the position in 2014.
“I cannot stress enough that this is urgent. Only yesterday, a member of the OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission was tragically killed by a mine, with others also injured. This is yet another life lost, adding to the many the conflict has already taken. We expect it to be thoroughly investigated,” Mogherini said.
“All parties must play their part in implementing fully the Minsk agreements,” she said.
“What is needed urgently is more political will in order to take the very first steps: full respect for the ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons, to improve the security situation,” she said.
“The OSCE mission must be given full and unimpeded access in order to be able to credibly verify any improvement of the security situation, which is crucial for there to be progress towards peace,” Mogherini said.
“There is also a fundamental humanitarian duty to reduce the devastation and suffering of civilians affected by the conflict. This would also pave the way for the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements,” she said.
