The Czech Republic calls on the Russian Federation to cease activities that further destabilize the situation in eastern Ukraine, particularly the supplies of heavy weapons and the shelling of the Ukrainian troops. We condemn actions of illegal armed groups that cause an increase in the number of victims and the suffering of the civilian population. Sunday´s violation of the prisoners´ rights for dignified treatment by pro-Russian militants in Donetsk was inadmissible and despicable. We also condemn the kidnapping and brutal murder of the Honorary Consul of Lithuania Mykola Zelenc by the militants in Luhansk and we express our condolences to his family.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic emphasizes that appropriate control of the Russia-Ukraine border and the international monitoring of its full length is an essential precondition of ending violence in Eastern Ukraine.