NATO chief calls for using ‘fresh opportunity’ to ensure ceasefire in Ukraine

“The situation in Ukraine remains very fragile, and that’s the reason why I welcome the renewed commitment to implement and to respect the ceasefire,” he told a press conference in Vilnius, responding to a BNS question.

Ukraine ‘s government and Russia-supported separatists have recently agreed to stop exchange of fire as of September when a new academic year starts.

According to Stoltenberg, NATO is receiving contradictory reports from Ukraine, therefore, it’s difficult to clearly evaluate the situation as yet.

“The reports we are getting from Ukraine are a bit mixed, so I think it’s a bit too early to tell exactly what’s going on the ground. But at least the renewed commitment offers a fresh opportunity for all parties to fully implement the Minsk agreements,” Stoltenberg said.

He believes the Ukrainian parliament’s recent approval of the reform giving more powers to the eastern regions shows that Ukraine is implementing the last February’s truce conditions but they are being breached by Russia which continues supporting separatists.

Earlier in the day, the NATO secretary general opened a NATO command centre, dubbed NATO Force Integration Unit, in Vilnius.