Alexander Hug says he never expected the Ukrainian conflict would develop into a prolonged war.

The former face of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)’s Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – and for a long time one of very few straightforward actors in the unscrupulous spaces of Ukraine’s war zone – Mr Hug initially only signed up to the job for six months.

Had he known the stint would last for a fraught five years, he says, he would not have gone near it.

Now, he says he fears another five years of conflict would “entrench war” in the lives of the youngest generation – and is urging Ukraine’s presidential hopefuls to show “much greater clarity” about what they plan to do about it.

“Unfortunately, I haven’t seen anything in any of their positions that recognises the new reality that has developed in the east,” he says. “Whoever wins these elections will have to deal with these issues. They have to think about what happens the day the guns go silent.”

In the course of the election campaign, the three leading candidates have offered high rhetoric, but scarce detail about how to end a war that has cost upwards of 13,000 lives.

Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Show all 32 1 /32 Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of opposition parties burn flares during a rally demanding to break an agreement with Russia on the use of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, in front of the parliament building in Kiev Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Volunteers with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps light flares during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev after Russia seized two of their armored artillery vessels and a tug boat in the Black Sea AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Ukrainian Nationalists demand to break the diplomatic relations with Russia and nationalization of Russian property in Ukraine EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Ukrainian activists burn flares during their rally in front of Russian Consulate in Kharkiv EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of opposition parties burn flares during a rally demanding to break an agreement with Russia on the use of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, in front of the parliament building in Kiev, Ukraine November 26, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich GLEB GARANICH Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Seized Ukrainian ships, small armoured artillery ships and a tug boat, are seen anchored in a port of Kerch Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Volunteers with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps brandish flares during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Some hundreds of protesters from far-right party National Corps brandished yellow-and-blue flags with the Ukrainian national trident symbol, and a banner reading 'Don't back down!" . (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Efrem Lukatsky AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 The President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, announced, on 25 November, at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council that they will introduce martial law in Ukraine for a period of 60 days and appeal to the Parliament to consider the move Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Russia seized two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Children from an orphanage volunteer to help the city defenders strengthen trenches on Ukraine's Army positions near the village of Rybatske 25 km from Mariupol AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Volunteers with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps light flares during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Some hundreds of protesters from far-right party National Corps brandished yellow-and-blue flags with the Ukrainian national trident symbol, and a banner reading 'Don't back down!" (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Efrem Lukatsky AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Policemen guard at Russian consulate during a protest action in the Black Sea Ukrainian city of Odessa AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 epa07190805 Ukrainian Nationalists burn flares and smoke grenades during their rally in front of Parliament building in Kiev, Ukraine, 26 November 2018 as they demand to break the diplomatic relations with Russia and nationalization of Russian property in Ukraine. The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council on 25 November 2018 announced the decision to introduce martial law in Ukraine and to appeal to the Parliament to consider the move at an extraordinary meeting. It is about the introduction of martial law for a period of 60 days. The Ukrainian Parliament will convene for an extraordinary meeting at evening 26 November 2018. Russia has seized three Ukrainian vessels amid their leaving the Kerch Strait on 25 November 2018. The two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats have come under enemy fire and are now dead in the water. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped. The vessels have been captured by special forces of the Russian Federation, the press service of Ukraine's Navy said on Facebook on Sunday evening. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of Ukrainian far-right groups shout slogans during their rally in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev on November 26, 2018, as they demand to set martial law in the country and to cut diplomatic relations with Russia. - Ukraine's military was on high alert and parliament was to vote on November 26 on a request from President to impose martial law for 60 days after Russian navy seized three Ukrainian ships off the coast of Crimea. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP)SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 With relations still raw after Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its backing for a pro-Moscow insurgency in eastern Ukraine, the capture of three Ukrainian naval vessels risks pushing the two countries towards a wider conflict. Graphic explains how the naval incident unfolded on a map Graphic News Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of far-right parties burn flares in front of the parliament building in Kiev during a rally to support the Ukrainian navy Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A Ukraine army APC moves toward on position at an undisclosed location in eastern Ukraine AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Ukrainian Nationalists sign a banner with a slogan reading like 'Not retreat and not surrendering!' EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of Ukrainian far-right groups hold flares during their rally in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev on November 26, 2018, as they demand to set martial law in the country and to cut diplomatic relations with Russia. - Ukraine's military was on high alert and parliament was to vote on November 26 on a request from President to impose martial law for 60 days after Russian navy seized three Ukrainian ships off the coast of Crimea. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP)SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images SERGEI SUPINSKY AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists glue Ukrainian flag on the fence of Russian consulate AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A volunteer with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Volunteers with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps hold flares during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Some hundreds of protesters from far-right party National Corps brandished yellow-and-blue flags with the Ukrainian national trident symbol, and a banner reading 'Don't back down!" (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Efrem Lukatsky AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 epa07190891 Ukrainian Nationalists attend their rally in front of Parliament building in Kiev, Ukraine, 26 November 2018 as they demand to break the diplomatic relations with Russia and nationalization of Russian property in Ukraine. The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council on 25 November 2018 announced the decision to introduce martial law in Ukraine and to appeal to the Parliament to consider the move at an extraordinary meeting. It is about the introduction of martial law for a period of 60 days. The Ukrainian Parliament will convene for an extraordinary meeting at evening 26 November 2018. Russia has seized three Ukrainian vessels amid their leaving the Kerch Strait on 25 November 2018. The two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats have come under enemy fire and are now dead in the water. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped. The vessels have been captured by special forces of the Russian Federation, the press service of Ukraine's Navy said on Facebook on Sunday evening. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO SERGEY DOLZHENKO EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 An activist piles up tires during a protest against the seizure by Russian special forces of three of the Ukrainian navy ships, which Russia blocked from passing through the Kerch Strait into the Sea of Azov in the Black Sea, in front of the Russian embassy in Kiev, Ukraine November 25, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A National Guard serviceman extinguishes a torch thrown by a protester during a rally against the seizure by Russian special forces of three of the Ukrainian navy ships Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A protester throws a smoke grenade during a rally in front of the embassy of Russia in Kiev AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Protestors set up paper ships on the tires during their rally near of Russian embassy building in Kiev EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Smoke from a flare thrown by a protester is seen during a rally against the seizure by Russian special forces of three of the Ukrainian navy ships, which Russia blocked from passing through the Kerch Strait into the Sea of Azov in the Black Sea, in front of the Russian embassy in Kiev, Ukraine November 25, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich GLEB GARANICH Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A man extinguishes a burning car of the embassy of Russia Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Paper boats are seen placed during a protest Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 epa07190225 Ukrainian policemen guard the Russian embassy building with smoke behind during Ukrainian activists rally in Kiev, Ukraine, 25 November 2018. Russia has seized three Ukrainian vessels amid their leaving the Kerch Strait; Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is gathering the Military Cabinet over the incident. The two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats have come under enemy fire and are now dead in the water. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped. The vessels have been captured by special forces of the Russian Federation, the press service of Ukraine's Navy said on Facebook on Sunday evening. The Ukrainian Navy also reported the number of the Ukrainian servicemen wounded in the incident grew to two persons as Ukrainian media report. EPA/STEPAN FRANKO EPA-EFE/STEPAN FRANKO EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 epa07190217 A protestor throws a smoke grenade at the building during their rally near the Russian embassy in Kiev, Ukraine, 25 November 2018. Russia has seized three Ukrainian vessels amid their leaving the Kerch Strait; Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is gathering the Military Cabinet over the incident. The two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats have come under enemy fire and are now dead in the water. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped. The vessels have been captured by special forces of the Russian Federation, the press service of Ukraine's Navy said on Facebook on Sunday evening. The Ukrainian Navy also reported the number of the Ukrainian servicemen wounded in the incident grew to two persons as Ukrainian media report. EPA/STEPAN FRANKO EPA-EFE/STEPAN FRANKO EPA

Petro Poroshenko is officially committed to the February 2016 Minsk peace accords. It is a deal which delivers a ceasefire in name and a roadmap of reintegration, but which both Ukraine and Russian-backed forces seem resigned to ignore. The president has also campaigned strongly on tough military credentials, and presented himself as the only candidate able to push back on Russian aggression.

The other two frontrunners, Volodymyr Zelensky and Yulia Tymoshenko, seem to suggest a different, if untested approach. Both have talked in vague terms about a new deal based on the unratified 1994 Budapest referendum, where Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom were supposed to guarantee Ukraine’s territorial integrity in exchange for it dropping nuclear weapons.

“It isn’t clear how the alternative is supposed to work,” says Hug.

The former chief monitor, who played a part in drafting the Minsk accords, says Minsk remained the “best technical basis” to end the war. But the accords were at best “an interim agreement for an emerging conflict”. New work is required to make them relevant again, he contends.

“We probably need an add-on to Minsk given how much reality has moved on inside the conflict zone,” he says. “Not a replacement, but a new holistic vision that doesn’t just concentrate on the security aspect, but on many of the other conflicts that are stacking up.”

The ongoing isolation of the conflict zone, and physical and emotional scars of war, threaten to create new divisions between people living either side of the contact lines, he says. Despite the assertions of Russian propaganda, the differences didn’t exist before 2014, but the direction of travel now meant that the “worst predictions of the propaganda risk coming true”.

In his time as OSCE’s man on the ground in eastern Ukraine, Hug made several interventions in support of the beleaguered populations living near the contact line.

In particular, he will be remembered for his actions in the seaside town of Shyrokyne in early 2015. For weeks, local residents hadn’t seen an end to fighting despite a ceasefire; it hadn’t happened because both sides were worried that halting fire would see the other gain ground. Hug arrived in town and put his body quite literally on the line, appearing between the two armies to ensure they stopped fighting.

A former Swiss military officer, Hug says would often delve into lessons he learned as an officer in Bosnia in the 1990s and later as part of a monitoring mission in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

We probably need an add-on to the Minsk agreement given how much reality has moved on inside the conflict zone Ex deputy head of the OSCE Ukraine Special Monitoring Mission Alexander Hug

But the Donbass experience was “more intense” than the worst bouts of either of those conflicts, he said. His time in office saw one of his monitoring team killed, blown up by a mine, and at one point he was stuck for three and a half hours hours in ferocious crossfire that saw 40 mortars explode around his convoy and shrapnel destroy one of the armoured vehicles. That was the “worst moment”, he says.

But, he says, aspects of this conflict make its resolution much “simpler” than others.

“There are no differences in religion and so far there are no irrevocable differences in worldview between the populations,” he says.

“Of course, the longer the war goes on, the harder it will be to unwind. The danger is that the conflict will be maintained not by bullets but by an entire generation who only know war.”

Ending the fighting was the “simplest part” of the jigsaw requiring political decisions “mostly in Moscow, but also Kiev”, he says. Bringing people together was much harder.

Hug refuses to be drawn on how long either stage would take.