Observers of the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of the OSCE are still facing obstructions to their access to the areas controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics (the so-called DPR and LPR).

There is no complete freedom of movement on the territories beyond the control of Kyiv, OSCE SMM Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said at a briefing in Donetsk on Monday.

In his words, the OSCE SMM monitors want to do their work efficiently, without intervention from the LPR and the DPR, which should be immediately stopped.

He recalled that the OSCE SMM can help only when they have a full access. If the observers have access, they can monitor the situation, the first deputy head of the mission said.

Hug recalled that two years have passed since the signing of the Minsk agreements and called on the parties to the conflict to observe all the provisions of the document.