MINSK, 21 September (BelTA) – The signing of the OSCE-Russia-Ukraine framework agreement on separating forces and assets as part of the effort to resolve the conflict in Ukraine is a great step forward, BelTA learned from the OSCE's special representative in the trilateral contact group on Ukraine Martin Sajdik.
“It is a big and important step forward. The leaders of Russia and Ukraine as well as Germany and France have been looking forward to it. I think not only those countries,” said Martin Sajdik.
BelTA reported earlier that a framework agreement on separating forces and assets as part of the effort to resolve the crisis in Ukraine was signed by the trilateral contact group in Minsk on 21 September.
The agreement provides for de-escalation along the contact line and enables conditions prohibitive to small-arms fire. The framework agreement also provides for the full execution of the trilateral contact group's previous agreements on withdrawing weapons with the caliber of less than 100mm away from the contact line.
Forces and assets will be separated only in three areas: the populated localities Zolotoye, Petrovskoye, and Stanitsa Luganskaya.
The OSCE special monitoring mission will be put in charge of constantly monitoring and verifying the separation of forces and assets in the designated areas.
