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Contact group for Ukraine conflict ends talks with no significant progress

Xinhua, August 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Another round of negotiations of the contact group for the settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine ended in Minsk on Wednesday without much progress.

The session failed to bring significant progress in the withdrawal of troops, Martin Sajdik, special representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), told reporters after the meeting.

Sajdik said the coordinator of the safety subgroup, Ertugrul Apakan, drew attention to the urgent need for the settlement of some key issues. He stressed the necessity to ensure the full and sustainable cease-fire in eastern Ukraine, reach the framework agreement, withdraw military forces and clear the minefields.

The parties must fully respect the agreements on the withdrawal of heavy weapons, he added.

The special envoy also assured that work on both sides of the conflict regarding the cease-fire will continue. The next meeting of the contact group will be held on Aug. 26. Endi