"Mr. Chairperson,

In connection with the PC decision on the extension of the deployment of OSCE observers to two Russian checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian border, the delegation of Ukraine would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe.

 “Since establishment of this OSCE presence in accordance with the Berlin Joint Declaration of 2 July 2014, the security situation in the east of Ukraine has deteriorated due to the activities of the terrorist organizations operating in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which receive reinforcements and armaments from the territory of the Russian Federation.

The deterioration of the situation and reports of this very limited OSCE presence at two Russian checkpoints have confirmed the need for expansion of the mandate to effectively address the existing grave challenges along the Ukrainian‑Russian State border, which was the primary concern of the meeting in Berlin.

The Minsk Protocol of 5 September, which was also signed by a representative of the Russian Federation, envisages in paragraph 4 that the OSCE will ensure permanent monitoring on the Ukrainian‑Russian State border and verification, with the creation of a security zone in border areas of Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

For the purposes of effective implementation of this task, Ukraine deems it important, as outlined in its concept paper of 17 October 2014, to expand the current mandate of the OSCE observers at the Russian checkpoints, by including thereto, besides the Gukovo and Donetsk locations in the Russian territory, the checkpoints Voloshino, Novoshakhtinsk, Kuybishevo (Marynivka on Ukraine’s side), Kuybishevo (Dyakove on Ukraine’s side), Matveev Kurgan and Veselo-Voznesenka. Besides, we deem it important to allow the observer mission to visit all other checkpoints in the Russian territory bordering the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The list includes the train checkpoints Gukovo – Chervona Mohyla and Uspenska – Kvashyne, and the car checkpoints Oleksiyevo-Tuzlivka – Novoborovzi, Donetsk – Krasonodarskyi, Nyzhnyi Shvyryov – Krasnodarskiy, Donetsk – Severnyi, Yelan – Yuhanivka, Mozhayevka – Herasymyvka, Tytovka – Oleksandrivka, Shyyany – Petrivka, Avilovo-Fedorivka – Uspenka and Shramko – Ulyanisvke.

Full implementation of paragraph 4 of the Minsk Protocol is inextricably linked to accomplishing the objectives of establishing a sustainable ceasefire regime and ultimate peaceful resolution in the east of Ukraine based on President Poroshenko’s Peace Plan, the Minsk arrangements, and the OSCE principles and commitments.

We therefore deeply regret that the Russian Federation has refused to support the proposal for significantly expanding the currently limited mandate of the OSCE observers at two Russian checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian Border, which would provide consistency with the arrangements reached in Minsk. That position of the Russian Federation puts into serious question its commitment to implementing agreed arrangements, and its commitment to de‑escalation and peaceful resolution of the situation in the east of Ukraine.

We call on the Russian Federation to demonstrate its full commitment to implementation of the Minsk arrangements in good faith, and to allow proper and comprehensive permanent monitoring on the Ukrainian‑Russian State border and verification by the OSCE.

We reiterate that resumption of efficient control at the Ukrainian‑Russian border under OSCE monitoring is critical for sustainable de‑escalation and peaceful resolution of the situation in the east of Ukraine.”

The delegation of Ukraine requests that this statement be attached to the decision and recorded in the journal of the day.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.