At the meeting with Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission Ertugrul Apakan, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko emphasized the importance of the expansion and technical reinforcement of the work of the mission for the success of peaceful settlement and the increase of the efficiency of monitoring of the Ukrainian-Russian border.

"Your efficient work, monitoring and verification of the border with the assistance of the OSCE mission will help us ensure peaceful process," the Head of State said.

The President noted that a month had passed since the achievement of Minsk peace agreements, but, unfortunately, peace in Luhansk and Donetsk regions had not been achieved yet. Petro Poroshenko stressed that despite the attacks of militants, Ukrainian troops tried to responsibly observe the ceasefire regime.

The Head of State stressed the importance of expanding the work of the OSCE mission in Ukraine. Particularly, he offered to consider the possibility of increasing the number of observers up to 1500. Also, Petro Poroshenko called for the expansion of the use of modern equipment.

The President emphasizes that the activity of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission on the Ukrainian-Russian border should result in "providing the world with independent and objective information from the ATO area" and the achievement of peace. In this regard, President Poroshenko stressed the importance of greater publicity in the work of the mission.

"Under the Minsk protocol, we must ensure the security of the border using drones and having representatives of Ukraine and the OSCE at 10 border crossing points," the President said.

"Your activity can help us save lives of soldiers and civilians every day," the President noted.

In his turn, Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission Ertugrul Apakan expressed gratitude to the President for his support to the work of the OSCE SMM and informed that the mission would expand its activity. "We are planning to enhance monitoring and control over the ceasefire regime and border security," he said.

According to him, the number of observers and armed vehicles of the mission will be increased soon. The mission plans to gradually move its units directly to the Ukrainian-Russian border. "We respect unity and integrity of Ukraine. Your Peace Plan, Mr. President, is a basis of our mandate in Ukraine. We are interested in its fulfillment," he noted.

Ertugrul Apakan mentioned close cooperation and assistance of relevant ministries and institutions of Ukraine.