Contact Group on Ukraine reaffirms commitment to ceasefire at Easter

The Contact Group on Ukraine has reaffirmed commitment to ceasefire during the Easter holidays, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) Special Representative Martin Sajdik told local media Wednesday.

"I hope this commitment will be maintained and observed in the upcoming holidays," Saidik said following Contact Group's meeting.

In general, the diplomat noted that the situation in the conflict zone in the east of Ukraine is improving, but it is still unsatisfactory.

The parties discussed the issue of the release of detainees, who are being hold due to the conflict, as well as the organization of mechanisms for verifying the desires of the released to stay in the territory where they served their sentence.

The negotiators also discussed the current situation resulting from the blockade of transport routes and the introduction of the so-called "external administration" at Ukrainian enterprises based in the parts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions not controlled by Kiev and its consequences.

In addition, the parties discussed the supply of water, electricity and gas, and payments for these services.

The next meeting of the Contact Group will be held on April 26. Endit