Conflicting parties in Ukraine agree on new truce

MINSK, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The trilateral contact group on Ukraine has agreed on a new termless truce starting from July 21, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Envoy Martin Sajdik said Wednesday.

The tripartite contact group to resolve the situation in the Donbas agreed on a statement confirming full commitment to the cease-fire starting on July 21, Sajdik told reporters following the group's meeting in Minsk.

Sajdik said it is a very timely step, as the number of cease-fire violations has recently increased.

The negotiating parties also reiterated its common and firm commitment to the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

The next meeting of the contact group will take place on July 31.