Events

The trilateral contact group last met in the Belarusian capital on 18 October to discuss ceasefire violations. Martin Sajdik, the OSCE's special representative in the trilateral contact group on Ukraine, called for prompt withdrawal of forces and hardware in the area of Stanitsa Luganskaya, as it was envisaged in the framework decision of the trilateral contact group of 20 September 2016.

The working group on economic affairs discussed ways to simplify payments for water supply in several parts of Donetsk Oblast and Lugansk Oblast. The group also made some headway in discussing the possibility of settling the debt to former Ukrainian Railways employees.

The working group on humanitarian affairs continued discussing the exchange of prisoners of war. Issuing documents for previously released persons was discussed in detail.

The working group on political affairs spoke in positive terms about extending the effect of the Donbass special status law in the Ukrainian parliament. Discussions about the so-called Steinmeier formula and its implementation also continued.