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OSCE team headed to Ukraine

March 21, 2014

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has agreed to send scores of civilian observers to Ukraine. Russia has consented to the deployment, having previously raised objections.

https://p.dw.com/p/1BU8y
OSCE military observers take photos during negotiations with pro-Russian soldier forces at the Chongar check point blocking the entrance to Crimea on March 7, 2014. Two buses carrying OSCE observers trying to enter Crimea turned back Friday after being blocked by armed men at a checkpoint, an AFP reporter said. Two sources within the mission said the team of 47 military and civilian observers was returning to the Ukrainian city of Kherson where they had spent the night after being similarly blocked on Thursday. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER NEMENOV (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: AFP/Getty Images

International monitors

The 57 member countries of the OSCE reached a consensus, initially agreeing to send 100 observers to monitor the political and security situation in Ukraine.

A further option exists to expand the number to 500.

The decision came after Russia - which is one of the members - was understood to have dropped its objection to the deployment. The mission is to be based in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and be deployed to nine areas of the country - including the largely Russian-speaking city of Donetsk.

However, the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea - which Russian signed a decree earlier this week to annex into its own territory - was not on the list of places the monitors will visit.

Western nations - Germany in particular - have called for an observer mission as a means of calming the situation, particularly in the south and east of the country where there is a large Russian-speaking population.

'Not the end, but a step'

The agreement is rare instance of consensus between Russia and the West concerning the Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed relief and optimism at the decision.

"I am happy that we are able to send the OSCE observers on their way," said Steinmeier, who was himself due to visit Ukraine on Saturday. "It is not the end of the crisis, but a step that helps our efforts to support de-escalation."

"The situation in Ukraine remains unstable and menacing. For this reason… observers must take up their work as quickly as possible."

Steinmeier is expected to meet Ukraine’s interim president Oleksandr Turchynov in Kyiv on Saturday morning to discuss the crisis. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is also due to meet with Turchynov later in the day.

On Friday, the EU signed an association agreement with Ukraine. Former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych opted not to sign the agreement in November last year, leading to the Kyiv uprising that overthrew him.

EU 'should have waited'

The Russian government dismissed the pact, saying the current Ukrainian government has no democratic mandate, and that the EU should have waited until after fresh elections.

The situation reached its tensest yet earlier this week, following Russian President Vladimir Putin's signing of the annexation document. Pro-Russian militias took over several Ukrainian military bases in Crimea, with one Ukrainian serviceman reported killed on Tuesday.

International monitors

Meanwhile, both the EU and US on Tuesday imposed sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian officials and lawmakers, measures that were derided by Moscow. Both Brussels and Washington widened their lists of individuals affected later in the week.

rc/jlw (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)