JCCC confirms introduction of cease-fire in Donbas

Ukrainian representatives of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) confirms the introduction of a comprehensive, sustainable, and 'indefinite' cease-fire in the Donbas at midnight on Dec. 24, 2016.

Censor.NET reports citing the ATO press center.

Ukrainian officers of the JCCC continue to monitor the cease-fire observation. OSCE SMM will be immediately informed about any changes of the situation.

Earlier, parties of the Trilateral Contact Group on implementation of peace plan in Ukraine's east (TCG) have reaffirmed their commitment to observe a comprehensive, sustainable and indefinite truce starting at midnight of Dec. 24, 2016.

Moreover, the United States welcomes the trilateral contact group's announcement of an agreement for a holiday cease-fire in eastern Ukraine.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said they welcomed what Steinmeier called a "unanimous recommitment" to peace ahead of the holidays.