Russia urges to set up round-the-clock monitoring posts at most problem areas in Donbas

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. Russia urges to set up round-the-clock posts of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in the most troubled areas in Donbas, the Russian foreign ministry said on Friday citing Russian Permanent Representative at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Alexander Lukashevich as saying in Vienna.

"Now, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has a long-awaited possibility to invigorate its activities in the security zone in Donbas," Lukashevich said. "The more unbiased and complete reports the SMM provides the more efficient its work will be, the bigger trust it will enjoy by the parties to the conflict. Obviously, it will have a positive effect on security of the monitors."

"Once again, we urge to ensure the establishment of round-the-clock SMM monitoring posts in the troubles areas," the Russian diplomat stressed. "We think it to be a serious factor of control over the situation and containment. Regrettably, it often happened that as soon as OSCE monitors had left populated localities shelling resumed."

"Tighter placing of SMM patrols along the line of engagement will require more personnel," the Russian diplomat noted. "Under its mandate, the mission can increase its contingent up to 1,000 people. It’s high time to take this opportunity. We consider pretexts used not to do that - such as speculations that it is hard to implement or non-topical - as far-fetched.".

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