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UKRAINE

OSCE holds urgent meeting over Ukraine

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that the European security body OSCE will hold a special meeting in Vienna on Thursday to discuss developments in conflict-torn Ukraine, following reports of Russian troops on the ground there, the US mission to the organisation said.

OSCE holds urgent meeting over Ukraine
OSCE's Headquarters in Vienna at the Hofburg. Photo: Wikimedia

"Russia violations in Ukraine to top agenda at extraordinary meet of OSCE delegations at 11:00 CET (0900 GMT) today in Vienna," the US mission said in a tweet.

The Austria-based Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe confirmed the special session, which "will focus on latest developments in Ukraine".

Ukraine's ambassador to the OSCE accused Russia  on Thursday of a "direct invasion" following reports that Russian troops were active in the conflict-torn east of the country.

"We registered a direct invasion by the Russian military into the eastern regions of Ukraine," Ihor Prokopchuk told journalists following a special meeting of the European security body to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine.

"The situation has significantly aggravated," he said in English, citing the capture "by regular Russian forces" of the key southeastern town of Novoazovsk and several other surrounding towns.

"Ukraine views the latest developments as active aggression against Ukraine," Prokopchuk said.

There has been increasing concern in Kiev and the West that Russia is sending troops into eastern Ukraine, although Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Moscow's envoy to the OSCE denied Thursday that any Russian troops were in eastern Ukraine, after his Ukrainian counterpart accused Moscow of a "direct invasion" of its territory.

"There are no Russian soldiers" in eastern Ukraine, Andrey Kelin told journalists, following an emergency meeting of the European security body to discuss developments in Ukraine.

Washington's ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt earlier accused Russia of being "directly involved" in the fighting between government forces and Moscow-backed separatists in the east.

The Ukraine Today news channel reports that up to 15,000 Russian soldiers may already be deployed in Ukraine, a claim which the Russian government strenuously denies.

The US State department has confirmed that troop movements at the border strongly suggest that Russia is directly involved in a counter-offensive which is supporting the Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Previously, OSCE general secretary Lamberto Zannier said that finding a solution for the bloody conflict in east Ukraine is the "top priority" for the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe). He was speaking to the Austrian Press Agency (APA) on the sidelines of the Alpbach political forum in Tyrol province on Monday.

A recent meeting between Russian and Ukrainian representatives and the OSCE in Minsk was "a step forwards" said Zannier.

It was important to speed up the conflict resolution process at a political level, said the OSCE general secretary. A ceasefire was currently the priority. "The political process is the key (…)," said Zannier. "I am sure that Russia is not interested in maintaining this instability on its doorstep. The conflict in Ukraine must be resolved."

Zannier said that a military solution was unrealistic. It would be very costly, also in terms of civilians and refugees, he added.

The OSCE general secretary also warned against "aggressive nationalism," not only in Russia and Ukraine, but also in Western Europe. It caused confrontations and conflicts, he said, and people who lived in multi-ethnic societies had to struggle with intolerance.

Portions of this story came from the Austrian Press Agency (APA).

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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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