MINSK, 27 July (BelTA) – No loss of life among the civilian population has been reported in the east of Ukraine since the beginning of the summer ceasefire, OSCE's special representative in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) in Ukraine Martin Sajdik told the media on 25 July, BelTA has learned.
Martin Sajdik noted that the ceasefire brokered by the Trilateral Contact Group in view of the summer harvest continues to be a success. Some positive trends have emerged. According to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, the number of the ceasefire violations in the east of Ukraine has significantly decreased since the ceasefire was announced on 1 July. “According to the Special Monitoring Mission, no deaths among the civilian population have been reported since the start of the ceasefire,” he noted. Martin Sajdik recalled that the total number of civilian deaths this year more than halved compared to the same period a year earlier.
“I hope these trends will remain in place. I urge all sides to stay committed to the ceasefire deal,” Martin Sajdik said.
This matter was discussed among others during the Working Group on Security meeting on 25 July. The coordinator of the group, Head of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Ertugrul Apakan emphasized the importance of separating military equipment and personnel and withdrawing heavy weapons.
