US: OSCE Permanent Council drags with extending SMM mandate

The Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) cannot extend the mandate of the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the US Mission to the OSCE stated.

According to the Mission chief Harry Kamian, the United States shares disappointment and “grave concern” stemming from the failures thus far to extend the SMM mandate and to reach agreement on the budget,” UNIAN reports.

“The SMM continues to be a vital component to bringing a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict, and symbolizes the relevance and value of this organization as a whole,” said the American diplomat.

As The Journalist reported, OSCE criticized Ukrainian authorities for refusing the Italian journalist to cover the elections.