1. The European Union would like to thank the Ukrainian delegation for the update on recent developments in the Nadia Savchenko case.

2. The abduction, illegal transfer to and illegal detention in Russia of Nadia Savchenko, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, is unacceptable. We are extremely concerned about the health of Nadia Savchenko after 75 days of hunger strike to protest the terms of her illegal detention.

3. We once again call on Russia to respect its international commitments and to immediately release Nadia Savchenko as well as Oleh Sentsov and all other Ukrainian citizens illegally detained in Russia, as also foreseen in the package of measures agreed in Minsk. We will continue to follow these cases very closely. 

1. The European Union strongly condemns the terrorist attack that killed at least four persons in Kharkiv on 22 February. This was an atrocious attack on a peaceful march commemorating the anniversary of the events of February 2014. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

2. Mr Chairman, full implementation of the Minsk agreements by all signatories remains the only way forward towards a sustainable political solution based on full respect for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity as confirmed in UN Security Council Resolution 2202. We welcome the Normandy format ministerial meeting held in Paris on 24 February 2015 and support efforts in this format to work on implementation of the Minsk agreements.

3. We strongly condemn that the attacks by Russia-backed separatists have continued in parts of eastern Ukraine, notably in Debaltseve, despite agreement on a ceasefire. The SMM’s consistent reports of ceasefire violations near Mariupol, as well as in other areas, are also of great concern. We call on Russia to use its influence over the separatists to fully implement their commitments made and to stop the inflow of fighters and military equipment from Russia. Further attempts by the Russia-backed separatists to gain control of additional territory in eastern Ukraine will seriously undermine all efforts promoting political resolution of the conflict.

4. Full respect for the ceasefire is a basic precondition for the implementation of other provisions of the Minsk agreements as outlined in the 'package’ of 12 February. We continue to note the many observations of heavy military equipment in areas controlled by the separatists. This corresponds to evidence of continued and growing support given to the separatists by Russia. We hope that the signing of a plan of withdrawal of heavy weapons will soon result in further progress on the ground as foreseen in the Minsk package. But we note the comments of the Chief Monitor, in his latest report on implementation of the package, on the continued need for the SMM to receive detailed information to support implementation. We call on all signatories to provide the SMM with the support and information needed to fulfil its task under the Minsk package, including what heavy weapons they have, where these weapons are now, which routes will be used for the withdrawal and where they will be located after the withdrawal. We note with particular concern that the so-called LPR has so far only expressed an intention to comply with its undertakings in Minsk. We regret that one signatory, the Russian Federation, has not yet replied to the letter of Ambassador Apakan of 13 February. We further regret the unhelpful and unfounded criticism of the SMM by the Russian Foreign Ministry in its statement of 25 February.

5. We also expect an immediate withdrawal of all foreign armed formations, military equipment, as well as mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine under monitoring of the OSCE and disarmament of all illegal groups. We welcome the latest exchange of detainees as a first step towards the release of all detainees as also foreseen in the Minsk package. As part of this process, we urge Russia to immediately release all Ukrainian citizens illegally held in Russia.

6. We recall that the Minsk package calls for humanitarian aid to be delivered through an international mechanism. We deeply regret that, as we discussed earlier today, a so-called ‘humanitarian convoy’ from Russia has recently again entered Ukrainian territory, without the consent of the Ukrainian authorities and in clear violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and without fundamental international humanitarian principles being observed.

7. Mr Chairman, the SMM has a vital role to play in the implementation of the Minsk agreements. The EU reiterates its support for an extension of the SMM’s mandate, and stands ready to further support it, including through financial and operational contributions. We are concerned about the frequent reports of SMM monitors being denied access and threatened by separatists. We call on all sides to ensure security and safety and unrestricted access for SMM monitors. We also call for unrestricted access for the SMM UAVs to all parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and along the border with Russia.

8. We once again express our support for the work of Ambassador Tagliavini and the Trilateral Contact Group of Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE Chairmanship. The Trilateral Contact Group must continue to play an essential role. We also reiterate our support for the efforts of the Chairmanship. We have noted previous statements by the Chair and believe that acts such as those committed by the Russia-backed separatists in Debaltseve deserve a very strong condemnation.

9. The EU recalls its unwavering support to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence of Ukraine, and calls upon Russia to do likewise. We once again urge Russia to recognise by acts these fundamental principles that it has itself invoked many times and to contribute to stabilise the situation and reverse moves that contravene these principles. We reiterate our strong condemnation of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation and we will not recognise it.

1. The European Union warmly welcomes the Chief Observer of the OSCE Observer Mission at two Russian checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian border, Mr Paul Picard, back to the Permanent Council. We thank him for his report.

2. Despite its, unfortunately, very limited mandate and small size, the Mission continues to make observations at the Gukovo and Donetsk checkpoints that provide the ever growing body of evidence of far-reaching and ongoing support for the separatists being provided from Russia, and Russia’s deliberate de-stabilisation of eastern Ukraine. We note the regular reports of a high number of people crossing the border wearing military-style clothes. And we note the reported transfers of ambulances and “Cargo 200” lorries through the checkpoints, indicating the return to Russia of military personnel killed in action.

3. We note the reports of Russian so-called humanitarian convoys crossing the border at the Donetsk checkpoint without inspection by Ukrainian authorities, including the latest on 20 February that arrived without prior notice. These convoys continue without the consent of the Ukrainian authorities and in clear violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and without fundamental international humanitarian principles being observed. We recall that the “Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements” calls for humanitarian aid to be delivered through an international mechanism.

4. We regret that Russian officials, fully aware of the limited mandate of the mission, continue to suggest that the mission’s reports confirm that no Russian troops or military equipment cross the border. We know that this is not true.

5. Mr Chairman, recent developments have once again underlined the importance of border monitoring which is closely interlinked with ceasefire monitoring. Border monitoring is especially important in view of reports about the continuing influx of military equipment and personnel entering Ukraine from Russia. We would like to reiterate that effective and comprehensive monitoring of the Russian-Ukrainian state border should be an integral part of a sustainable political solution, which fully upholds OSCE principles, and re-establishes Ukrainian control over its sovereign territory including the border. We recall that the Minsk package includes a commitment to re-establishing Ukrainian control over its border. We likewise recall that the Minsk-Protocol called for effective monitoring of the Ukrainian-Russian state border and verification by the OSCE.

6. We therefore continue to call for a significant expansion of the Observer Mission to all border crossings not currently under the control of the Ukrainian Government as well as full monitoring of the areas between border crossings. This should be supported and coordinated with border monitoring on the Ukrainian side of the border by the SMM.

7. We deeply regret that the Russian Federation continues to prevent a meaningful expansion of the Observer Mission. We likewise regret that the Russia-backed separatists continue to prevent the SMM from gaining full access to the border. We once again call upon Russia to bring its influence to bear upon the separatists to ensure a full implementation of the commitments assumed under the Minsk agreements.

8. We call on Russia to provide, without delay, the Mission’s members with the appropriate privileges and immunities.

9. We once again thank Mr Picard and his staff for their excellent work. We wish Mr Picard every success in his future endeavours. 

The European Union and its Member States reiterate our strong support to the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements adopted on 12 February 2015 in Minsk. Full and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk agreements offers a way forward to a sustainable political solution of the crisis which needs to be based on the respect for Ukraine's unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. In this context we welcome the adoption of UNSCR 2202. The EU also welcomes the latest meeting of the foreign ministers in the Normandy format with a view of ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Minsk agreements.

We note that the ceasefire is largely holding. At the same time, we note with deep concern that despite the ceasefire in place fighting persists in several areas in Donetsk and to a lesser extent in Luhansk region due to continued attacks by the separatists militarily supported by Russia. We strongly condemn the actions by the Russia-backed separatists in Debaltseve which are a clear violation of the ceasefire and call upon all sides to stop the hostilities without delay.

The European Union keeps noting evidence of continued and growing support given to the separatists by Russia. This underlines Russia's responsibility. Russia and the separatists have to immediately and fully implement the commitments agreed to in Minsk, starting with the respect of the ceasefire.

Only words matched with deeds will in the end bring real hopes of a political solution to this conflict. The European Union stands ready to take appropriate action in case the fighting and other negative developments in violation of the Minsk agreements continue. We call for immediate access of the SMM to assume their monitoring and verification functions in and around Debaltseve and to any other site the Mission needs to go.

Enabling SMM to carry out their tasks of monitoring and verifying the ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy armament as well as withdrawal of all foreign armed forces, military equipment and mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine, remains of crucial importance for the successful implementation of the Minsk agreements.

In this context, we recall the urgency of making full use, both in letter and spirit, of the OSCE politico-military instruments in order to ensure a tangible contribution to the peaceful settlement of the crisis in and around Ukraine through cooperative dialogue and increased level of military transparency and stability, especially in the areas along the state border between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

We reiterate the need for full and effective control by Ukraine of its border and permanent monitoring by the OSCE. We call on the Russian Federation to respect this. We welcome the initial exchange of prisoners which took place on the 21 February in line with the Package of Measures adopted on 12 February.

We draw attention that the Package of Measures calls for humanitarian aid to be delivered through an international mechanism. In this context, we express our deep regret that yet another Russian so called humanitarian convoy entered Ukrainian territory on 20 February in violation of Ukraine's national legislation, recognised international practices, as well as previously agreed modalities with the ICRC. We recall our position that this act constitutes a clear violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In addition, we call for respect of international humanitarian law and principles, notably in ensuring safe passage for all those who want to leave the area and for humanitarian workers to deliver aid.

The European Union reiterates its commitment to fully implement its policy of nonrecognition  of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation. We stand firm in upholding Ukraine's unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and call upon the Russian Federation to do likewise.