The European Council conclusions on Ukraine of 27 June envisaged concrete steps to be taken by the Ukrainian authorities, Russian Federation and illegally armed groups:

(1) agree on a verification mechanism for the cease-fire and border control;

(2) return to the Ukrainian authorities of the three border checkpoints;

(3) release of hostages and

(4) launch of substantial negotiations on the implementation of the peace plan.

Since 20 June, no progress registered in all mentioned 4 spheres:

1. Militants are constantly violating cease-fire regime. Total number of incidents since 20 June – 108. Casualties by Armed Forces of Ukraine: nearly 28 soldiers died, more than 70 wounded. Thus no agreement on a verification mechanism, monitored by the OSCE, could have been achieved.
2. Terrorists are not ready to return to Ukrainian authorities the three seized border checkpoints: Izvarino, Dolzhanskiy and Krasnopartizansk. Russia, on its part, refused to close operation of its respective checkpoints as it is envisaged by bilateral agreements.
3. Although 8 OSCE observers were released, more than 170 of Ukrainian military men and civilians are still held hostage. Terrorists are not ready to negotiate on releasing them. Russia shows no efforts to assist in releasing those in captivity. 
4. 2 rounds of consultations of the Trilateral contact group with representatives of illegally armed groups took place (23 June and 27 June). Militants are not ready to discuss cease-fire regime, disarmament, release hostages and enter into substantial dialog on peaceful settlement. Instead, they use the cease-fire to gain time, to reinforce and to create new checkpoints, to intensify their activity in recruiting local people, to regroup military equipment and carry out attacks against the forces of ATO.

Despite 3 rounds of telephone conversation between President of Ukraine P.Poroshenko, Federal Chancellor of Germany A.Merkel, President of France F.Hollande and President of Russia V.Putin (25, 29 and 30 June), no practical steps have been taken by the Russian Federation to successfully implement the peace plan of the President of Ukraine and the European Council conclusions.

Taking into account the lack of readiness by illegally armed groups to begin with the implementation of the peace plan and absolutely unconstructive position of the Russian Federation, Ukraine urges our partners to take the above mentioned considerations into account while reassessing the situation in Ukraine, and to adopt significant restrictive measures, including comprehensive sanctions against the key sectors of Russia’s economy.