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UKRAINE

Danish hostage released in Ukraine

The OSCE observer, captured by pro-Russian rebels a month ago, was let go as part of ongoing peace talks. The foreign ministry said that Danish man was doing well and called for the four remaining OSCE hostages to be released immediately.

Danish hostage released in Ukraine
Unidentified OSCE observers are released by Alexander Borodai (R), leader of the self proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic". Photo: Shamil Zhumatov/Scanpix
A Danish observer from the Organisation for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held hostage for a month by pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine has now been released.
 
The foreign ministry confirmed the man’s release in a statement early on Friday.
 
“We are both relieved and extremely happy that four OSCE observers have been released, including a Danish observer,” Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard said. “There are however still an additional four OSCE observers being held in Ukraine. They should also be released immediately. It is completely unacceptable that OSCE’s observation mission in Ukraine cannot be carried out in peace.”
 
In addition to the Dane, the other three released observers were from Switzerland, Turkey and Estonia. 
 
The OSCE members were captured in south-east Ukraine on May 26. Their release came as part of peace talks between Kiev, Russia, the OSCE and the pro-Russia insurgents.
 
On Monday, the insurgents agreed to honour a ceasefire declared by Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko. 
 
According to the Guardian newspaper, rebel leader Alexander Borodai said he was “hoping we can facilitate the release of the four remaining observers”.
 
The foreign ministry reported that the released Danish hostage was doing well under the circumstances and that the ministry was prepared to offer him psychological help. 

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UKRAINE

Germany to support defence of Polish airspace

Germany on Monday said it had reached an agreement to help Poland protect its skies following a deadly rocket strike close to the border with Ukraine.

Germany to support defence of Polish airspace

Berlin would “send Patriot anti-aircraft systems to Poland and support the securing of Polish airspace with Eurofighter (jets)”, Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said in a statement.

READ ALSO: Germany to buy F-35 fighter jets in military shopping spree

Two people were killed last week when a missile landed in the Polish village of Przewodow, six kilometres (four miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Warsaw and NATO have said the explosion was likely caused by a Ukrainian air-defence missile launched to intercept a Russian barrage, but that Moscow was ultimately to blame because it started the conflict.

Before the deal was agreed, Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said he “welcomed the German proposal with satisfaction”.

Blaszczak said on Twitter he would propose for the systems to be “stationed close to the border with Ukraine”.

Germany has already sent Patriot anti-aircraft units to Slovakia, where Berlin hopes to keep them deployed for longer than currently planned.

The air-defence systems should remain in Slovakia “until the end of 2023 and potentially even beyond”, Lambrecht told the Rheinische Post daily.

“It is our utmost responsibility that NATO does not become a participant in this conflict,” while strengthening its air defences, she said.

READ ALSO: Germany and Spain to train Ukraine troops under EU programme

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