Interfax: Russian general coordinates weapons withdrawal in east Ukraine

Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

(Interfax – February 19, 2015)

Russian and Ukrainian military representatives are working together to coordinate a plan for withdrawal of heavy weapons in east Ukraine, a Russian general said on Russia’s official state television channel Rossiya 1 on 19 February.

Speaking live on the phone in Rossiya’s primetime evening news programme, head of the Russian group for coordinating ceasefire issues Lt-Gen Aleksandr Lentsov said: “At the joint centre, we have worked together with our Ukrainian colleagues on coordinating a sector-by-sector plan for the opposing sides to withdraw heavy weapons to a safe distance. I can confirm the sides’ mutual interest in an organized withdrawal, as quickly as possible, of artillery systems from the line of contact in accordance with the Minsk Agreements of 19 September and the agreements of 12 February. The process of withdrawal of these weapons must be carried out under OSCE observers’ obligatory supervision. Therefore we calling on the OSCE in Ukraine (to actively cooperate) with the joint centre for monitoring and coordinating ceasefire, in the interests of a full and rapid implementation of all provisions of the Minsk arrangements by both sides of the conflict.”

 

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