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Developments in eastern Ukraine

OSCE Chairman-in-Office says very dark scenarios possible in Ukraine

Didier Burkhalter indicated that the situation was in the phase of warring at the moment, with combat actions intensifying in the south

© ITAR-TASS/EPA/SERGEI ILNITSKY

GENEVA, September 02, /ITAR-TASS/. One can predict very dark scenarios, along which the situation in Ukraine will develop, the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Swiss President Didier Burkhalter told RTS television channel on Monday.

He indicated that the situation was in the phase of warring at the moment, with combat actions intensifying in the south.

“This is a very delicate phase and both August and September are very difficult,” he said. “The risks of escalation are very numerous.”

He stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts, saying France and Germany were standing in the forefront of diplomatic contacts with all the parties concerned.

Burkhalter admitted that the OSCE had failed to lift the tensions and to launch a pan-Ukrainian dialogue, adding that this once again underlined the importance of diplomatic contacts.

Switzerland is ready to launch a new diplomatic initiative and to provide its floor for discussions, he said.

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Eastern Ukraine

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