US Ambassador to OSCE: Russia escalates tensions in Donbas to wrest concessions from Ukraine by force

“Russia has escalated tensions on the line of contact in an attempt to wrest concessions from Ukraine by force,” Baer said. “If Russia truly wants agreement on modalities for local elections, on amnesty, on special status, and on decentralization, the way forward is clear: stop attacking Ukrainian forces, withdraw heavy weapons, and grant full access to the SMM throughout Ukraine, including the region along the border with Russia,” the Ambassador noted. He also stressed that combined Russian and separatist forces repeatedly launch similar attacks throughout eastern Ukraine, and it’s the Russian leadership that is responsible for these actions.