Georgia ‘deeply concerned’ by situation in Debaltseve, Eastern Ukraine

Georgia’s Foreign Ministry is expressing grave concern by the increasing hostilities of Russian-backed separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltseve.

Fighting has resumed in eastern Ukraine despite Russian and Ukrainian leaders signing a ceasefire agreement last week.

Georgia’s Foreign Ministry said the separatists’ increasing hostilities was a "blatant violation” of the Minsk Agreement signed between Ukraine and Russia after 17 hours of talks in Minsk, Belarus on February 12.

The deal outlined a ceasefire at 00:01am on 15 February, the withdrawal of heavy weapons and other measures. The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany were involved in the lengthy talks and the eventual agreement, which envisaged resolution to the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.

We hope that the "Normand Format" member states will put maximum efforts into preventing further escalation and loss of control of the situation in eastern Ukraine,” said Georgia’s Foreign Ministry.

The Georgian side said the situation was further complicated by the fact the separatists did not allow the OSCE Special Observer Mission to monitor Debaltseve and the surrounding area.

"We call on the signatory parties of the Minsk Agreement signed on February 12 to comply fully with its obligations and respect Resolution #2202, adopted by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on February 17,” the Ministry said.