Condemning Rocket Attack on Mariupol, Ukraine, Rebels’ Withdrawal from Ceasefire Agreement, Secretary-General Urges All Parties to Revive Minsk Accords

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns today’s rocket attack on the city of Mariupol, Ukraine, which reportedly killed dozens of civilians and left over 100 injured.  He notes that rockets appear to have been launched indiscriminately into civilian areas, which would constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.

The Secretary-General further denounces yesterday’s unilateral withdrawal from the ceasefire by rebel leadership, and particularly their provocative statements about claiming further territory.  This constitutes a violation of their commitments under the Minsk accords.

The Secretary-General urges all concerned to redouble their efforts to revive the Minsk accords.  Ukraine’s peace, territorial integrity and stability, intrinsically linked to that of the broader region, must be urgently restored.