Deputy Secretary General of NATO: the implementation of the Minsk agreements is disappointing, but not disastrous
The progress on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements is disappointing, but not disastrous and pressure on Russia needs to be maintained, said the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Oleksandr Vershbow, on the TV program TSN Tyzhden, on Sunday, April 17, 2016.
"I don't agree that the Minsk process is already a failure. Clearly, the international pressure, including the sanctions, need to continue. Russia needs to understand that complying with only half of the measures will not satisfy the international community or Ukraine," Oleksandr Vershbow said.
He also noted that the Minsk Agreements provide for some consistency. The restoration of Ukrainian control over their border is one of the later steps in the process. "First we need to establish a truce, take away heavy equipment, undertake the political steps towards decentralization and the organization of elections according to Ukrainian legislation under the oversight of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). However, the elections cannot be held if the security situation remains as it is now," the Deputy Secretary General of NATO said.