Putin, Merkel, Hollande, Poroshenko Discuss Situation Around Debaltsevo

The four leaders also discussed the role of the mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in controlling the observance of the ceasefire regime

MOSCOW –Presidents of Russia, France and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Francois Hollande and Petro Poroshenko, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a telephone conversation to discuss the implementation of the complex of measures on peace settlement in southeastern Ukraine signed by the Contact Group earlier in the week, the Kremlin press service said.

The four leaders also discussed the difficult situation around the town of Debaltsevo and the role of the mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe /OSCE/ in controlling the observance of the ceasefire regime.

An agreement on ceasefire in Donbass came into force overnight to Sunday.

“Special emphasis was made on the necessity to strictly observe the ceasefire regime by both conflicting parties and to begin pulling out heavy weapons,” the press service said.

Apart from that, the leaders agreed “parameters of further joint efforts in the context of promoting the implementation of the Minsk agreements,” the press service said.

Russian Senators demonstrate cautious optimism about truce in Eastern Ukraine

Meanwhile, Lawmakers of Russia’s Federation Council upper parliament house on Sunday voiced cautious optimism as the first day of ceasefire in eastern Ukraine was coming to a close. Altogether, the Russian lawmakers warn against provocations from the part of separate battalions that might not obey the orders.

“It is a good start. In any case, Donbass has been living peacefully for almost 24 hours, with no explosions, no deaths, no destructions. And this is admitted by all parties to the conflict – by both the militias and the Ukrainian authorities,” Vladimir Dzhabarov, the first deputy chairman of the Federation Council international committee, told TASS late on Sunday, adding however he was watching the development of the situation in eastern Ukraine with alarm.

“The nigh that is closing in will be troubled. There is a possibility of provocations from various groups, separate battalions that I am not sure fully obey the central Kiev authorities,” he said. “Such provocations might trigger some undesirable developments.”

Also, he said he was worried over the so-called Debaltsevo pocket. “So far, it is not clear what will become of it, how Ukrainian troops entrapped there would act, whether they would surrender arms or not. This is worrying,” he said.

“I believe the leaders of the four countries have accomplished the key task – the truce has come into force and I hope the French and German leaders would not let /Ukrainian President Petro/ Poroshenko to violate this truce,” Dzhabarov underscored.

TASS

R.S