OSCE sends mission to eastern Ukraine for more and more peace(?)

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has sent a mission to eastern Ukraine with the aim of de-escalating the situation.

According to AFP, Ertogrul Apakan, who heads the OSCE special mission to Kiev, said on Saturday that his deputy, Mark Etherington, would meet leaders of pro-Russian protesters in Donetsk by Sunday.

The visit follows a Geneva accord signed between Russia, the EU, the US and Ukraine.

On Thursday, the four parties also agreed that the OSCE should oversee the disarmament of protesters and the evacuation of occupied facilities and streets in eastern Ukraine.

However, the pro-Russian protesters have refused to recognize the accord, with their leaders renewing calls for a referendum.