News and press releases

This update is provided for the media and the public. The situation in Ukraine remained tense in Luhansk and, in particular, and in Donetsk regions. In other parts of the country an increased police presence was observed due to the fear of possible provocations during May holidays.

Western and Central Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well the southern part of the country, remained calm. The situation in Kharkiv is quite tense after the assassination attempt on the mayor, which occurred on Monday, 28 April. The situation in Donetsk region has deteriorated and in Luhansk remains tense.

Western and Central Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well the southern part of the country, remained calm. The situation in Kharkiv appears to be tense after an assassination attempt on the local mayor. The situation continued to be tense in Luhansk region and particularly tense in Donetsk region. The Special Monitoring Mission resumed operational activities in all its areas of operation with special security measures in place for Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk.

KYIV, 29 April 2014- OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier wrapped up a one-day working visit to Kyiv today amid escalating tensions, especially in the east of the country...

Western and Central Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well the southern part of the country, remained calm. The situation continued to be tense in the Luhansk region and particularly tense in the Donetsk region. Two Special Monitoring Mission monitors were temporary detained by the so-called People’s Militia of Donbas in Yenakiveve (55 km northeast of Donetsk. The situation in Sloviansk, where the military observers as well as accompanying Ukrainian military officers were taken captive, remains a source of concern.

ERGNETI, 28 April 2014- Today, the 44th meeting under the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place in Ergneti, co-facilitated by Toivo Klaar, the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), and Ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger, the OSCE Special Representative for the South Caucasus...

BERN, 27 April 2014 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter condemned the detention of a group of military inspectors from OSCE participating States and of their Ukrainian hosts in Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine, and called for their release. One military inspector was set free today for health reasons, he confirmed. While this is a positive step, the OSCE continues to work at all levels – through the Special Monitoring Mission on the ground in Ukraine as well as through high-level political contacts – to assist for the release of all the detained persons, he said...