Hug does not consider Russia aggressor state

Open source

Former deputy head of OSCE SMM in Ukraine Alexander Hug claimed he did not treat Russia as an aggressor state. He said this in his interview to the Ukrainian press.

'No. But I believe that Russia, like Ukraine, and certain districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions recognized that there is a big problem that needs to be solved, and all of them have undertaken obligations,' Hug said to TSN TV channel.

According to him, the conflict will be resolved only when 'someone will seek to find a solution, and not try to blame others'.

Earlier, in his interview with Foreign Policy, Hug said that the mission observers saw people with the insignia of the Russian Army on the uniform but it 'can be bought anywhere'; the respective message was deleted by the editorial board of Foreign Policy soon after the interview appeared.

On November 1, Mark Etherington, the newly appointed Deputy Head of OSCE SMM in Ukraine, has officially assumed his office, replacing Hug who resigned having worked four years in this office.