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Poroshenko, Merkel discuss idea to involve OSCE in monitoring on Ukraine-Russia border

OSCE observers will monitor situation on the border between Russia and Ukraine, particularly at Russian border-crossing checkpoints Donetsk and Gukovo

© ITAR-TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov/Archive

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Russian checkpoints on Ukrainian border ready for OSCE monitoring — Foreign Ministry

KIEV, July 15. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday discussed by phone the idea to involve representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in monitoring of the situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border, the presidential press service reported.

The two leaders in particular meant Russia’s Donetsk and Gukovo border-crossing points. “The leaders discussed ways to organize a meeting of the contact group (on Ukraine), in particular, in the format of a video conference, and expressed confidence that the event will be organized tomorrow (on Tuesday),” the press service said.

“The sides discussed involvement of the OSCE mission in monitoring and verification of the border. The talk is about placing OSCE inspectors on the Ukrainian-Russian border, including at the Russian border-crossing points ‘Donetsk’ and ‘Gukovo’, as well as about the possibility of using drones for monitoring and verification,” it said.

According to the press service, Poroshenko and Merkel “discussed preparation for consideration of Ukrainian problems at a meeting of the European Council on July 16 in Brussels.”

OSCE to send observers to border-crossing points

After Monday’s phone talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Swiss President Didier Burkhalter said he was ready to urge the organization’s member countries to send observers to Russian border-crossing points with Ukraine.

The OSCE is ready to send monitors to border points if there is a relevant political will on both sides, Burkhalter’s statement said, adding that a preparatory group will be sent to the region as soon as possible.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Moscow, without waiting for the establishment of a ceasefire in south-eastern Ukraine, invited OSCE observers to the Gukovo and Donetsk border-crossing points to Ukraine. Lavrov sent a relevant letter to Burkhalter.

“Simultaneously, Russia is submitting to the OSCE a draft resolution of the organization’s Permanent Council on deploying observers. We hope the document will be approved as soon as possible,” a statement by the Russian foreign policy department said.

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Ukraine crisis OSCE Russian Foreign Ministry Angela Merkel Germany Pyotr Poroshenko Border control

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