Josep Borrel: Political Will by All Parties Required to Settle Situation in Donbas

The European Union reiterates its unwavering support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and the political will by all parties is required to settle the situation in Donbas.

“We need a long-term political solution to achieve a lasting peace in the eastern Ukraine. This will require political will by all parties to the conflict. The full implementation of the Minsk agreements is a key condition in this regard,” High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said at the OSCE Ministerial Council.

As Borrell noted, the ceasefire in Donbas proves positive developments. At the same time, the High Representative of the Union qualified work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission as “invaluable” and reminded that the EU Member States contribute to more than two thirds in personnel and budget of the Mission and its mandate should not be limited under any pretext.

Borrell underscored that Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are still illegally annexed by Russia. In this context, the European Union reiterates its unwavering support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Bohdan Marusyak