OSCE Chair Urges to Observe Ceasefire in Donbass During Holiday Season

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) chairman Ivica Dacic said that all the sides of the conflict in Donbass must honor the ceasefire and refrain from violence, in the name of all the families who just wish some peace and harmony during the holiday season.

VIENNA (Sputnik) – The warring sides in eastern Ukraine must honor the ceasefire throughout the holiday season, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) chairman Ivica Dacic said Friday.

"All the sides must honor the ceasefire and refrain from violence, in the name of all the families who just wish some peace and harmony during the holiday season," Dacic said in a statement.

The statement said the sides agreed to limit troop and tank movements along the contact line and uphold the ceasefire immediately at the Trilateral Contact Group session on December 22.

"I appeal to all, with all of my heart, to work together for this peace, to think of the children and their joy, and men and women who simply need some safety and security for all," Dacic reiterated.

Southeastern Ukraine has been suffering from a crisis triggered by a military operation to suppress local independence supporters launched by government authorities in April 2014 to quell secessionist activity.

OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission was deployed in the region to observe the implementation of peace agreements reached between the two sides in February this year.

Established in May 2014, the Contact Group aims to promote direct dialogue between Kiev and pro-independence militias, including the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk people’s republics (LPR and DPR). The group includes representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE.