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Wolfgang Gehrcke

Systematically Implement Minsk II Now

„The Minsk II agreement did not fail. It contributed to the pacification of the tight situation in broad areas of the border region between Ukraine and Russia. Nonetheless, the agreed points should now be systematically implemented, instead of raising new demands,” says Wolfgang Gehrcke, vice chair of DIE LINKE group to the demand of Ukrainian president Poroschenko for an immediate peace intervention in the Eastern part of the country. Gehrcke further:

“DIE LINKE advocates the support of a comprehensive intervention of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE has, compared to EU, the advantage of Russia being included in any measures. A fast increase of civil OSCE observers could make it possible to actually control the ceasefire everywhere. The OSCE is qualified to oversee the withdrawal of fighters and arms, to initiate the exchange of captives and hostages, and, most of all, to guarantee the safe access, storing, and distribution of humanitarian aid to people in need. Those tasks have been formulated in the Minsk agreement and German politics now have to focus on them.

The OSCE, not the EU, is experienced in dealing with frozen conflicts, as was demonstrated by OSCE interventions in Moldavia/Transnistria, in the Georgian conflict, or in Kosovo. The bases for an OSCE intervention can be found in the UN Security Council resolution and the Minsk agreement. All conflict parts must be asked again to adhere to those agreements.

New sanctions against Russia, not ruled out by federal government and the Greens, as well as the continued debate about arms delivery to Ukraine do not help in deescalating the conflict. To the contrary: A solution has to be sought and found with Russia not against it.”