We resume work of TCG with reminder for Russian delegation of trilateral nature of group's work – Reznikov

KYIV. Aug 27 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, First Deputy Head of the Ukrainian delegation in the Trilateral Contact Group to settle the situation in Donbas Oleksiy Reznikov during the TCG meeting at the level of heads of delegations reminded the Russian delegation of the trilateral nature of the group’s work.

According to the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG on Telegram, Reznikov also quoted German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who, during a press conference in Kyiv, said that the Russian Federation is a party to the conflict with Ukraine.

"In this regard, the Ukrainian delegation called on the Russian side to take responsibility for the implementation of decisions made with the participation of the Russian leadership and the mediating states, France and Germany, in particular, during the Paris summit in December 2020," the message says.

In particular, to accelerate preparations for the next stage of the simultaneous mutual release of persons held in connection with the conflict and to ensure that the operation of the checkpoint is unblocked by the Russian side.

In addition, in matters of security, the Russian Federation was called upon to ensure strict observance of the ceasefire and the implementation of a set of measures for demining the previously identified 19 areas on the contact line.

It is reported that the Ukrainian side sent "notes to the OSCE about gross violations of the ceasefire by Russian armed formations and losses on Ukrainian side."

On the political side, the Ukrainian delegation welcomed the unblocking of the work of the political subgroup and called on the Russian side to focus on work on the agenda and implementation of the decisions of the leaders of the Normandy format states.

"It should be noted that the resumption of the work of the political subgroup became possible after Ukrainian citizen Maya Yuriivna Pyrohova, who was convicted of terrorism in Ukraine, left its video conference. Unfortunately, the Russian delegation tried to transfer this ‘expert’ with an undefined status as a consultant to the humanitarian TCG subgroup, which our delegation regarded as a deliberate attempt to block the exchange of detainees and the opening of the checkpoint by the temporarily occupied territories," the delegation reported.

In addition, the first meeting of the Expert Group on Environmental Issues of Mine Flooding along the Contact Line is scheduled for September 2, 2021, which will be chaired by an international expert, Professor Carsten Drebenstedt.

Within the framework of the meeting of the subgroup, the importance of opening two checkpoints by ORDLO and the possibility of providing other state services to citizens of Ukraine on both sides of the disengagement line was also emphasized. The Ukrainian side also actively works on digital tools for remote verification and identification for the payment of pensions to Ukrainian citizens with limited mobility in an uncontrolled territory.

"The Ukrainian delegation continues to insist on the need for the early release of all persons detained in connection with the conflict, and is taking all necessary measures and strict adherence to the ceasefire regime," the Ukrainian delegation said.

The next meeting is scheduled for September 15.