NATO leaders call on Kiev to show “utmost restraint” in its military operation

NEWPORT, September 05. /ITAR-TASS/. NATO leaders have called on Kiev to show the “utmost restraint” in its military operation in eastern Ukraine, according to the Declaration of the NATO Wales summit published on Friday.

“Recognising the right of Ukraine to restore peace and order and to defend its people and territory, we encourage the Ukrainian armed forces and security services to continue to exercise the utmost restraint in their ongoing operation so as to avoid casualties among the local civilian population,” the declaration says.

“We encourage Ukraine to further promote an inclusive political process, based on democratic values and respect for human rights, minorities, and the rule of law,” the document says. “We welcome (Ukrainian) President (Petro) Poroshenko’s Peace Plan and call on all parties to meet their commitments, including those made in Geneva and Berlin. We call on Russia to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Ukrainian government.”

The NATO leaders expressed their support to “ongoing diplomatic efforts towards a sustainable political solution to the conflict”.

According to the document, the alliance commended actions of other international organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union, which are “contributing to de-escalation and pursuing a peaceful solution to the crisis.” “We welcome the swift deployment of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, which must be able to operate unhindered and have access to all regions of Ukraine in order to fulfil its mandate,” the declaration says.

NATO has also hailed the European Union’s decision to assist Ukraine “in the field of civilian security sector reform".