COPENHAGEN, 3 May 2014 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ranko Krivokapic today issued the following statement on recent events in Ukraine:

"On behalf of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I deplore the senseless violence and mourn the loss of life that occurred in Odessa yesterday. These events represent a shocking escalation at a time when all Ukrainian citizens and all in the international community have a profound responsibility to foster peace and dialogue. Today, as the dust settles, all involved in this violence must ask themselves what has been accomplished. The answer is 'nothing.' Furthermore, the signatories of the Geneva Statement must not retreat from its provisions, but rather, recommit themselves to its implementation at this crucial moment.

"The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly also welcomes the release of military observers and accompanying Ukrainian personnel from their captors in Slovyansk. We commend the efforts of the OSCE's Swiss Chairmanship and other international actors for their efforts to secure this release. The use of human lives as bargaining chips is never justified, and, as this incident proves, does nothing to advance the goals of any group."