Statement by the Trilateral Contact Group and the representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions calling for ceasefire

MINSK, 2 March 2018 – The Trilateral Contact Group and the representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions today issued the following statement calling for a ceasefire:

The Trilateral Contact Group with the participation of the representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, acknowledging the positive impact of their recommitment to the ceasefire on 20 December 2017, stressing the importance of ensuring peace and calm for the population caught in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, and guided by earlier agreements and obligations of the sides:

- Re-affirm their full commitment to a comprehensive, sustainable and unlimited ceasefire, starting from 5 March 2018 at 00:01 hours (Kyiv time);

- Underline at the same time, the importance of the issuance of, and compliance with, the respective ceasefire orders; the effective use of disciplinary measures for ceasefire violations; no firing, including return fire; avoiding forward movements and reconnaissance missions; strictly forbidding, in particular, firing to and from populated areas, the presence and use of heavy weapons in and close to populated areas and the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and public premises;

- Re-assert their joint and firm commitment to the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.