“We are fully supportive of the Minsk agreements as the internationally acknowledged basis for a political solution to the conflict in the Donbas and a peaceful reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories and further remind of the objective of ending the illegal annexation of Crimea,” reads the statement.
“Today, we must unfortunately express our deep concerns regarding the current state of play. Only some weeks ahead of the foreseen deadline for full implementation, not enough has been achieved,” the MEPs said.
“Cease-fire violations increased since mid-October. Monitors from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission experience restrictions on their freedom of movement, and the restoration of Ukrainian control over the full length of border with Russia, which is of outmost importance, is far from being reality,” the statement says.
Read alsoNATO: Russia unlikely to meet Ukraine peace deal deadline“It became clear during our discussions today that the Russian authorities bear a particular responsibility in this situation, leading to the deterioration of the security situation in the region. We call on them to urgently demonstrate their commitment to achieve all points covered by the agreement. The implementation of Minsk is the condition for lifting the sanctions,” said the lawmakers.
This is necessary with a view not only to ensuring the security of Ukraine and of the European continent, but also to putting an end to the dire conditions in which people in these territories and all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been living for almost two years."
Read alsoKerry confirms U.S. immutable position on sanctions against Russia“Ukraine remains one of the main priorities of the European Parliament's foreign agenda,” the MEPs said.
