OSCE: Military parades in Donetsk and Luhansk violated the Minsk Agreements
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine stated that the presence of heavy weaponry in Luhansk and Donetsk during Victory Day parades is a violation of the Minsk Agreements, as reported on Facebook page of the Special Monitoring Mission.
“The SMM was entrusted with the task of monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire and other provisions of the Minsk Agreements, including the withdrawal of weapons. In this case, the presence of heavy weaponry in Luhansk and Donetsk during the Victory Day parades is a violation of the Minsk Agreements and poses a threat to people. Observations will be available in the daily report tomorrow,” the statement said.
However, the Special Monitoring Mission did not comment on the other aspects of the parades beyond the presence of heavy weaponry. The SMM didn’t attend any military parades. However, it carried out monitoring of the overall security situation at the sites. The OSCE respects the human right to commemorate the events of cultural, religious and historical value, as was noted on the SMM’s Facebook page.
Earlier, the OSCE called upon the LPR and DPR militia groups to withdraw heavy weapons before the 9th of May, noting that the use of heavy weapons during the events on the 9th of May in Donetsk and Luhansk would be in violation of the Minsk Agreements.