Mr. Chairperson,

The delegation of Ukraine warmly welcomes Mr. György Varga, the Chief Observer of the OSCE Observer Mission at two Russian checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian border, and thanks him for his written report and today’s presentation.

We have to regrettably recognize that the Mission continues to operate in difficult and restrictive conditions, which make the important task of comprehensive monitoring at the two BCPs next to impossible. The freedom of movement, use of any observation tools, including binoculars or cameras, remain strictly prohibited by the Russian Federation as the host country. The position of the monitoring teams at the BCP`s limits visual capability to permanently observe border crossings, especially when it comes to people in vehicles (sometimes with tinted windows), crossing the border during night hours or during unfavourable meteorological conditions. Due to the limited area of movement at the BCP`s, “blind spots” remain to be a problem.

Current observation position doesn’t even provide for visual monitoring of trains, crossing the border, leaving the monitors with a necessity to pick up the sounds.

The only question is: why Russia, which reminds us again and again about its “good will”, is so interested in that kind of minimum provisions for the BOM’s monitoring. Is that really “good” will?

Even in such unbearable conditions, the Mission continues to provide us information exposing Russia’s support for its armed formations in Donbas. For instance, during the reporting period 84 crossings of people in military-style outfits from Russia into Ukraine and back were observed. In accordance to Mission`s reports some of them wear badges or emblems of “DPR”, “LPR” and/or “Novorossiya”.

We deeply regret that the Russian Federation remains the only country among 57 which has been objecting to the expansion of the geographic scope of the Mission to enable independent international monitoring between the border crossings points along the 409 km segment of the occupied state border of Ukraine.

This fact is just another evidence of Russia’s ongoing support to its occupation administrations and armed formations even during the ceasefire. Despite regular restrictions by the Russian armed formations in the border areas, another OSCE field mission, the SMM has spotted military-type trucks, minivans, vehicles and cargo trains illegally crossing the Ukrainian-Russian border near Voznesenivka, Manych and Mykyshivka.

Mr. Chairperson,

Again and again, braking international law and in particular, acting against the commitments, enshrined in the OSCE Border Security and Management Concept, which Russia has taken together with the other participating States by supporting the Ministerial Council Decision №2/05 in Ljubljana, the Russian Federation continues to send so-called “humanitarian convoys” to Russia-occupied territories on the east of Ukraine.

Legal framework of humanitarian assistance to the states is clear and well-known. At the same time, Russia continues violating sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, having sent the recent convoy for 96-th time already.

Multiple daily illegal crossings of the uncontrolled part of the Russian-Ukrainian border, reflected in the BOM’s reportsб are the outcome of reluctant position of Russia on the issue of border transparency and control in the areas, adjacent to certain parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine and its disinterest in involving in constructive dialogue on the politico-diplomatic track of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict resolution.

Mr. Chairperson,

We again emphasise the utmost relevance of the Minsk Protocol of 5 September 2014 whereby the signatories committed themselves to ensure permanent monitoring of the Ukrainian-Russian border and verification by the OSCE with the creation of security zone in the border regions of Ukraine and the Russian Federation. This is a very clear commitment, co-signed by Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE, but which has not yet been implemented in view of Russia’s opposition.

Reaching progress in implementing this provision would obviously provide a solid background for tangible improvement of the security situation in Donbas and open a way to substantial monitoring of the whole conflict affected area by removing Russia-imposed impediments to the SMM activities as well. At the same time until the Russian forces remain in the temporarily occupied parts of eastern Ukraine and illegal military supplies continue to flow through the uncontrolled segment of the Ukrainian-Russian state border, the ongoing instability will keep refraining us from reaching substantial progress in peaceful negotiations.

In conclusion, we once again thank Ambassador György Varga and his able team for their dedicated work, which is additionally complicated by COVID-19 pandemic, and wish every success in their future activities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.