ANKARA — Ertuğrul Apakan, the chief monitor from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine called Saturday for an immediate halt of the ongoing violence in the country.
Apakan said in a statement that the situation in the east of Ukraine had deteriorated in the last 24-hours, but that the organization was delighted at the release of the military observers held hostage since Friday 25 April.
He expressed also his sadness for those killed in a burning building that was set on fire during clashes between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian groups in the city of Odessa.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter reiterated that the situation in eastern and southern Ukraine was dire saying that "joint efforts to stop this escalation and to find a way back to dialogue have to be undertaken."
The EU also welcomed the release of the seven unarmed military observers as well as the release of the Ukrainian military personnel accompanying them.
Meanwhile Turkey's Foreign Ministry offered it's condolences to the victim's families and wished a fast recovery for those injured in the building fire in Odessa.
Forty-six people have now died in a building that was set on fire during clashes between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian groups in southern port of Odessa.
Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.
You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
