Reaction of the European Union to ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine

The European Union reacted in late January 2017 to the worsening of the military situation in eastern Ukraine.

A spokesperson considered the intense fighting around Avdiivka, involving heavy shelling with proscribed weapons and leading to a considerable number of casualties, as a blatant violation of the ceasefire stipulated by the Minsk agreements.

The EU argued that full observance of the ceasefire was a crucial step towards the full implementation of the Minsk agreements and called for the fighting to stop immediately. It also stood by the respect of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said on the 3 February 2017 'The use of indiscriminate force in densely populated areas in eastern Ukraine is unacceptable. It must stop immediately and the sides need to cease-fire now'.

BBC News, 01.02.17: Ukraine conflict: UN warns of dangerous deterioration http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38821078

The Guardiam, 31.01.17: Kiev and Kremlin trade blame over surge in fighting in east Ukraine https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/31/kiev-and-kremlin-trade-blame-surge-in-fighting-in-east-ukraine-russia-backed-rebels

ESO: Background information: New ceasefire announced for eastern Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/new-ceasefire-announced-for-eastern-ukraine/

EurActiv, 31.01.17: Military situation in eastern Ukraine worsens http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/military-situation-in-eastern-ukraine-worsens/

TIME, 31.01.17: Eastern Ukraine Rocked by Fighting Between Government Troops and Russia-Backed Rebels http://time.com/4655972/eastern-ukraine-russia-violence-avdiivka/

The New York Times, 31.01.17: Ukraine War Heats Up as U.S. Seeks Thaw With Russia https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/31/world/europe/eastern-ukraine-civil-war-russia.html

Euronews, 31.01.17: Civilians left without power, water amid renewed hostilities in east Ukraine http://www.euronews.com/2017/01/31/ukraine-conflict-civilians-on-front-line-left-without-power-water-amid-renewed

BBC News, 30.01.17: Ukraine conflict: Deadly flare-up in east http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38794679

Deutsche Welle, 01.02.17: UN Security Council calls for return to Ukraine ceasefire http://dw.com/p/2WlPU

TASS, 01.02.17: UN Security Council urges to immediately cease fire in Ukraine http://tass.com/world/928293

Sputnik International, 01.02.17: Kiev to Use UNSC Presidency to Defend Ukraine Against Russia - Poroshenko http://sptnkne.ws/dyN9

Sputnik International, 01.02.17: Russian Lawmakers Call on Ukraine to End Kiev's 'Criminal Acts' in Donbass http://sptnkne.ws/dyBc

Radio Poland, 31.01.17: Pro-Russian seperatists attack Avdiivka, Ukraine http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/291370,ProRussian-seperatists-attack-Avdiivka-Ukraine

Deutsche Welle, 31.01.17: Deadly violence erupts in eastern Ukraine amid 'worsening humanitarian situation' http://dw.com/p/2Winw

Politico, 01.02.17: UN warns of ‘dangerous deterioration’ in Ukraine http://www.politico.eu/article/un-warns-of-dangerous-deterioration-in-ukraine-un-security-council/

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

EurActiv, 02.02.17: NATO calls on Russia to help stop spike in violence in eastern Ukraine http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/nato-calls-on-russia-to-help-stop-spike-in-violence-in-eastern-ukraine/

OSCE: Press Release, 01.02.17: Statement by the Trilateral Contact Group and the Representatives from certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions calling for ceasefire http://www.osce.org/cio/296916

The Economist, 02.02.17: Tanks for calling. As America and Russia talk, Ukraine fights http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21716091-new-clashes-donbas-may-show-vladimir-putin-testing-donald-trump-america-and-russia-talk

ESO: Background information: Ukraine: Waiting for Donald, worrying about the EU / Berlin: Ukraine’s last ally standing? http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-waiting-for-donald-worrying-about-the-eu-berlin-ukraines-last-ally-standing/

OSCE: Press Release, 03.02.17: OSCE Secretary General Zannier condemns surge in fighting in east Ukraine, appeals for immediate ceasefire http://www.osce.org/sg/297566

OSCE: Tag: Ukraine Crisis http://www.osce.org/ukrainecrisis

Deutsche Welle, 03.02.17: A week of renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine http://dw.com/p/2WvNK

Euro|Topics: Debates, February 2017: Heavy fighting flares up in eastern Ukraine http://www.eurotopics.net/en/173998/heavy-fighting-flares-up-in-eastern-ukraine

---