The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described the June 3 assault by pro-Kremlin separatists near Donetsk, as a “violation of the Minsk Agreements.”
The assault, which has seen fighting between pro-Kremlin separatists and the Ukrainian army resume, was initiated by the separatists who used heavy weaponry and artillery.
The arms which were to be withdrawn from the region in accordance to the measures drawn up in the Minsk Agreements on 12 February 2015.
“Any aggressive acts or attempts to expand controlled territory by Kremlin-backed separatists and Russian forces are in violation of the Minsk Agreements while the implementation of the essential provisions lies with the responsibility of Russia in particular,” read a statement from the MFA.
“The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that the Minsk Agreements carry fundamental importance in resolving the conflict in the Donbass.
The European Union’s Executive Commission also believes the most June 3 clashes constitute “the most serious violation of the ceasefire arising from the Minsk accords in February 2015.”
“The ceasefire needs to be fully respected and all heavy arms withdrawn in line with the Minsk accord,” an EU spokesperson said.
"The renewed intensive fighting is likely to create a new spiral of violence and suffering.”
The spokesperson also noted a number of observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe have seen a “large number heavy weapons towards the line of contact.”
Since the fighting resumed on June 3, 24 civilians and 86 rebels have been wounded.
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