REUTERS
Russia must stop providing arms and equipment to separatist forces and must withdraw its own forces from eastern Ukraine, as noted in a statement of Minister of State for European issues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office David Lidington on the anniversary of the signing of the first Minsk deal, which was published on the official website of the British Government.
"On the first anniversary of the Minsk Protocol, it is as important as ever that both sides implement a lasting ceasefire. Throughout the last year we have seen repeated violations of the ceasefire and repeated obstruction of the work of the OSCE monitoring mission," the British minister stated.
The withdrawal of heavy weapons that has been agreed must actually take place, and the OSCE monitors must be provided full and secure access to carry out their crucial role, Lidington emphasized.
"Russia must stop providing arms and equipment to separatist forces and must withdraw its own forces from eastern Ukraine," the statement reads.
According to Lidington, the Minsk agreements are not just a ceasefire. They are designed to allow Ukraine to regain control of its territory and border. They provide the path to a political resolution of the current crisis.