OSCE says open to sending armed monitors to Ukraine conflict zone

Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Secretary General Lamberto Zannier speaks during a news conference in Tbilisi, March 9, 2015. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

KIEV (Reuters) - The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which is monitoring a fragile ceasefire in rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine, is open to sending armed personnel there, but only if that is agreed by all sides, its chief said on Monday.

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier's comments are a measure of the threat to unarmed staff observing a ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists that is constantly violated, killing soldiers and civilians.