It is an important signal that the conflicting parties in eastern Ukraine have agreed to renew the ceasefire. Particularly during the winter months, the people living in the conflict area are suffering greatly. They urgently need the hostilities to calm followed by a resilient ceasefire.

What we need now is the ceasefire to be respected and stabilised through concrete steps to inter alia withdraw heavy weapons, disengage troops and clear mines.

We call upon all sides to uphold this agreement and take further steps to implement the Minsk agreements.