The Federal Government commends today’s extension by the Ukrainian parliament of the special status law for parts of the administrative regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The validity of the special status law was extended until 31 December 2019.

This decision is further proof of the fact that Ukraine is firmly committed to its obligations under the Minsk Agreements.

We call on the parties to the conflict in eastern Ukraine to implement all of the obligations set out in the Minsk Agreements, and in particular to adhere to the ceasefire, withdraw heavy weapons as well as remove their troops from the disengagement areas agreed in the context of the Trilateral Contact Group in 2016.

The Minsk Agreements provide for local elections to be held within the framework of Ukrainian legislation. Any other form of “elections” as announced by the separatists would contradict the letter and spirit of the Agreements and would thus be considered null and void. We therefore call on all sides to ensure that the so called elections scheduled for 11 November do not take place.