The EU condemns the systematic denial of access for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to certain border areas in Donbas controlled by Russian-backed armed groups, as well as to the Crimean peninsula and coastal areas east of Mariupol.

A respective EU statement was read out at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on Thursday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We strongly condemn the ongoing systematic restrictions to the SMM's work and attempts to impede the fulfillment of its mandate," the statement reads.

The EU also recalled the unjustified use of force by Russia at the Kerch Strait on November 25, 2018 and its negative impact in the Azov Sea and called on the Russian authorities to release Ukrainian crew members and return their vessels unconditionally and without delay.

"We expect Russia to ensure unhindered and free passage through the Kerch Strait to and from the Azov Sea, in accordance with international law. The increasing militarization of Crimea continues to impact negatively the security situation in the Black Sea region," the EU statement reads.

In addition, deep concern was expressed about the deterioration of the human rights situation in the illegally annexed Crimea and the persecution of representatives of the Crimean Tatar community.

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