You're reading: US concerned by deterioration of situation in Debaltseve, urges separatists to observe ceasefire

The United States is gravely concerned by the deteriorating situation in and around Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement posted on the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine website.

“The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission confirms that attacks continue in this area as well as other locations, including Severodonetsk, Luhansk, and Donetsk city,” the statement reads.

She quoted reports issued by the government of Ukraine that its forces have been fired on 129 times in the last 24 hours by Russia-backed separatists, killing 5 and wounding 25, including attacks on a convoy evacuating the wounded from Debaltseve.

“The separatists have publicly declared that they refuse to observe the ceasefire in Debaltseve, and OSCE monitors have not been provided security guarantees for access. These aggressive actions and statements by the Russia-backed separatists threaten the most recent ceasefire and jeopardize the planned withdrawal of heavy weapons, as called for in the Feb. 12 Minsk packet of implementing measures,” Psaki said.

According to her, the U.S. is closely monitoring reports of a new column of Russian military equipment moving toward Debaltseve.

“We call on Russia and the separatists it backs to halt all attacks immediately, engage with the OSCE to facilitate the ceasefire, and, as called for in the packet of measures agreed to on Feb. 12, to fully implement their Sept. 5 and 19 Minsk commitments,” reads the statement.