With the presidential elections now behind us, a new phase opens in Ukraine. For the OSCE, good news came as the four monitors missing from Donetsk were released, but as I write, we still await the release of the 4 Luhansk-based monitors.

Those monitors are from the key Special Monitoring Mission based in Kiev and feeding back facts daily; you can see their dispatches in this edition.

In Vienna too, the focus remains on Ukraine. Veteran diplomat Heidi Tagliavini is now accompanying talks between Ukraine and Russia; at the same time, the Annual Security Review Conference provided a platform for diplomatic contacts. Details are here, along with a podcast from current Chair of the Permanent Council Thomas Greminger.

A success story continued as Melange – a dangerous rocket fuel – was removed from Ukraine, the sixth country now free of this toxic substance, with three more countries to go. Our infographic sheds light on this complex story. And don’t forget the Security Community magazine. A new edition is available soon, and, as ever, we welcome your comments.

Cathie Burton
Spokesperson OSCE

Ukraine in focus

OSCE Special Monitoring Mission team of four released 

On 26 June, four members of the Donetsk-based monitoring team of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMMU) that went missing since late May were released after 32 days in captivity. Learn more

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office expressed his gratitude for support in release of four monitors from Donetsk-based SMM team, and called for setting free the other team of four without delay. Learn more

OSCE Mélange Programme