The functions of the observation Mission of the OSCE on the Russian border " Donetsk " and " Gukovo " not associated with item Minsk Protocol from September 5 on the control of the OSCE over the Russian-Ukrainian border, told reporters the Russian Ambassador to the OSCE Andrey Kelin after the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on Thursday, which made a conclusion about the extension of the Mission's mandate until 23 March 2015.

Kelin said that the delegation of Russia " quietly " refers to the decision to extend the mandate. In October and November, Ukraine, USA, Canada and certain other delegations had agreed to extend the mandate of the Mission for only one month, requiring its extension to the other border and right movements of observers between the border, indicating the position of the Minsk Protocol on the control of the OSCE for the Russian-Ukrainian border. Russia expressed readiness to extend it for 3 months, which finally happened on Thursday.

" This is mission 2 of the border) was our initiative. As a goodwill gesture. Today, the majority referred to the fact that the Minsk Protocol provides for the possibility of expansion (mandate) for use at security checkpoints. This is not the case. Minsk Protocol speaks only of the Russian-Ukrainian border. It is not relevant for this gesture of goodwill. Everything is as obliged happened to go, " said Kelin.

However, He added, discusses the control abroad from Special observation Mission (SNM) of the OSCE in Ukraine, but It depends on agreements with the militia on the admission of observers to areas of the Ukrainian side of the border, which They control.

" It depends on the consent of the militia. Were trips authorized SNM on individual items. They continue. We have no relationship. This question within the competence of the militias, " said Kelin.

in General the question of control over the Russian-Ukrainian border, reviews k?lin, Until not ripe." Perhaps This (the question of the control of the OSCE over the Russian-Ukrainian border) question coming. As long as it is hardly possible to say that the situation is so stabilized that you are ready to discuss, " said the Russian Ambassador.


numerous anti-government protests Were started in the South-Eastern regions of Ukraine at the end of February 2014. They were the response of local residents to violent change of power in the country and the subsequent attempt to cancel the Verkhovna Rada of the law granting Russian the status of regional language.

sections: Politics