German and French diplomats say they are concerned about “the growing number of ceasefire violations”. Clashes have been increasing since January between separatists and Ukrainian forces.
Germany and France, which have a role of mediators in the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, called on Saturday “for restraint” and for “immediate de-escalation” between the two countries, saying they are “concerned about the growing number of cease-fire violations “.
Reaffirming their “support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”, the diplomats of the two countries say they are “concerned about the growing number of ceasefire violations as the situation in the east of the ‘Ukraine had stabilized since July 2020, “according to a joint statement.
Biden’s support for Ukraine
Berlin and Paris call on “the parties to show restraint and to proceed with an immediate de-escalation”, while saying to follow “with great vigilance the situation, in particular the movements of Russian forces”. In recent days, Ukrainian and American officials have expressed concern over the arrival of thousands of Russian troops and equipment at the Russian-Ukrainian border.
US President Joe Biden has promised Kiev “unwavering” support in the face of “Russia’s aggression” seen as the military godfather of the separatists, despite his denials. The Russian army also announced on Friday military maneuvers intended to simulate a defense in the face of a drone attack in a region near Ukraine.
20 soldiers dead in three months
After a record-breaking truce in the second half of 2020 in eastern Ukraine, clashes have increased since January between separatists and Ukrainian forces, with each side blaming themselves. Twenty Ukrainian soldiers have died in three months, up from 50 last year.
The war in eastern Ukraine, which claimed more than 13,000 lives, began in 2014 after a pro-Western revolution in Kiev that was followed by Moscow’s annexation of Crimea.
France and Germany are parties to the so-called “Normandy” discussions with Russia and Ukraine, and participated in the negotiation of the Minsk peace accords concluded in February 2015
The two diplomats also call in the statement “for an end to restrictions on freedom of movement” of the OSCE Special Observation Mission in Ukraine (MSOU) responsible for monitoring efforts to reduce tensions.
–
