Brussels, 03/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 3 March, the European Union threatened to challenge its relations with Russia in the absence of any de-escalation in Ukraine.
“In the absence of any de-escalation on the part of Russia, the EU could decide on consequences on bilateral relations between the EU and Russia”, said European foreign affairs ministers in a statement at the end of an emergency meeting on the crisis in Ukraine. The text speaks of consequences on “bilateral talks with Russia on visa matters”, as well as on a new cooperation agreement.
“If there are no swift and concrete measures of de-escalation, a whole series of contacts will be cut”, said France's Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius. He mentioned “the suspension of discussions on visas and economic agreements”. “If there is no de-escalation before Thursday, these measures will take effect”, Fabius stated, confirming that a summit of heads of state and government will take place on Thursday. “At the same time, we want Russia to take part in a dialogue” with Ukraine, he continued.
“If Russia does not decide to contribute in a credible and fast way to the de-escalation, we will have to take decisions that affect our relations with Russia”, said Germany's Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Arriving at the Council, Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Franz Timmermans stated that although the sanctions were not on the agenda, they would become inevitable if the confrontation continues. “There will be consequences for our relations if the confrontation continues”, he said, stating that Russia's behaviour last week was “unacceptable”. He called on Moscow to find a diplomatic solution. Livingstone said that if Russia continues, this will have a “cost”. Before arriving in Brussels, Poland's Foreign Affairs Minister Radoslaw Sikorski had some harsh words. “We know that for the greedy the appetite comes when eating. The challenge for the free world is to oppose this logic”, he said, adding that “Russia will suffer serious consequences for its intervention in Ukraine”.
In their conclusions, the EU's foreign affairs ministers condemn the “acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces”, reiterating that Russia must respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine. “The price of Ukraine's sovereignty cannot be Crimea”, said Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn. “We are strong in our condemnation of what is a Russian assault against Ukraine, seen as an occupation of Crimea”, said Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt on arriving at the Council. He underlined that the political solution that must be sought must be based on the withdrawal of Russian forces and the withdrawal of the threats of an invasion of the whole of Ukraine.
The EU therefore calls on Moscow “to immediately withdraw its armed forces to the areas of their permanent stationing” and says that “Russia should also without delay agree to the request by Ukraine to hold consultations”. For Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius, “it will be difficult to have de-escalation without direct dialogue”. “The Russians' refusal to have direct contact [with the Ukrainian government] is deeply worrying”, said Livingstone. Direct contact “can help reduce tension. Action must be entered into with an OSCE mission and the two parties must talk”, said Steinmeier. The Council conclusions reportedly call on Ukraine to respect the rights of minorities.
Members of the G7 (Germany, France, UK, Italy and USA, Canada and Japan) decided over the weekend “to suspend provisionally our participation in activities linked to the preparation of the G8 summit planned in Sochi in June, until the climate becomes more appropriate for constructive discussions at the G8”.
European Council on Thursday. The EU heads of state and government will meet on Thursday 5 March for a European Council on Ukraine. They will discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and how to facilitate the necessary de-escalation of the situation. (CG)