Russia's attempts to obstruct negotiations within the Trilateral Contact Group by resorting to procedural issues and excessive demands are unacceptable, according to an EU statement on Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the illegal occupation of Crimea. The statement came during meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on October 22. The EU reaffirms its full support for international diplomatic efforts within the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) aimed at reaching a political solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the statement said. At the same time, the EU expressed regret that the political stalemate within the TCG makes it impossible to take advantage of security progress. Russia's attempts to disrupt the talks by resorting to procedural issues and excessive demands are unacceptable, the statement said. The EU recalled that both sides had undertaken to hold honest talks. In this regard, we commend Ukraine for its constructive approach and call on Russia to reciprocate, the document reads. The EU also called for progress to be made in negotiations on such important issues as agreement on new disengagements areas, an updated demining action plan or an exchange of detainees. It also expressed regret that the International Committee of the Red Cross had still not been granted full access to detainees in non-government-controlled areas.
