Policy set for OSCE mission to Ukraine - Lavrov

MOSCOW, March 21 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s Foreign Ministry has formulated policy with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on sending a mission to Ukraine, including visits to the troubled western and central regions, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the Security Council on Friday. President Vladimir Putin, charing the session, said he raised the issue when meeting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday. “I ask you to continue discussions with our partners and find a solution,” Putin told Lavrov. The minister replied: “We’ve practically co-ordinated the issue. The OSCE will send missions to southern and south-eastern regions as well as to western and central areas where fierce incidents have recently occurred. “We’ve co-ordinated a limit to the number of observers and regions where they will be sent," Lavrov said. "Any changes aimed at increasing observers and regions should be approved by the OSCE Standing Committee."