Ukrainian officials have accused international monitors working in the conflict zone in the country’s east of succumbing to pro-Russian bias, after the mission was depleted when the US, British and Canadian governments
withdrew their citizens.
The mission, run by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE), is made up of hundreds of unarmed monitors, often former diplomats from OSCE member states. Their armoured vehicles crisscross the territory on both sides of the lines to report ceasefire violations.
As Moscow looks ready to exploit the tense situation in the conflict zone to provide a pretext for the further invasion of
Ukraine, the work of the monitors is more important than ever. However, just when they are most needed, their ability to work has been hampered by the decision by several countries to evacuate, due to the risk of a Russian invasion.
“We have asked for France and Germany to increase the number of monitors they have in place, and we want the OSCE to return to working according to its mandate,” said the Ukrainian deputy prime minister, Iryna Vereschuk, speaking on Saturday in Stanytsia Luhanska, a
town in Ukrainian-controlled territory right on the frontline.
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