No causes behind Tagliavini's decision to step down have been disclosed / Photo from UNIAN
Heidi Tagliavini, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group on the implementation of the peace plan in the east of Ukraine, "will cease to carry out her mandate," according to Ukrainian online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda, which referred to Swiss media outlets.
The causes behind Tagliavini's resignation have not been reported.
"On Friday evening, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland confirmed reports by SDA news agency broadcast by the Swiss TV that Tagliavini would like to cease to work as the Special Representative [of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine] soon. However, neither the causes behind the decision nor the date of the resignation has been disclosed by the Department," srf.ch reported, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
Tagliavini, who was granted her mandate about a year ago, has for months unsuccessfully attempted to mediate negotiations between Ukraine, Russia and Russian-backed militant leaders from the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics. She previously worked in Chechnya and Georgia.
The OSCE has been widely criticized in Ukraine and abroad for its improper performance.