Athens, 04/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - On their arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council on Friday 4 April, European foreign ministers were still waiting for real proof of any de-escalation of the Ukrainian crisis and continued to consider new sanctions, tending to focus on toughening up the current phase 2 sanctions rather than moving on to phase 3 sanctions.
British Foreign Minister William Hague said the EU must not relent because the situation remained very dangerous and very tense, with no de-escalation by Russia. He added that the Russian troops along the Ukrainian border were not simply symbolic. EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said that withdrawal of troops has not been verified by NATO and it is really important for Russia to show that it is serious about de-escalation by withdrawing her troops, which she hoped would occur. Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany said he was waiting for new measures from Russia to make people believe that it wants de-escalation. He added that the danger was not over yet and, at the moment, there was what looked like a period of calm, during which tensions are not becoming more acute, but this pause must be used to stabilise the political situation. Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said the West must not be intimidated by what Moscow says and it was extremely important to stick to the strategy.
Discussions about sanctions
Several ministers returned to the sanctions against Russia and the option of strengthening them. Hague said the EU had to remain strong and united over the sanctions that have been put in place and should prepare far-reaching sanctions if necessary. Asked about moving to phase 3 (economic sanctions), he said this was not the time for that, but one had to be ready for it if the crisis gets more serious. Timmermans said there were still options available at this current stage, phase 2, before considering moving to stage 3. He said that talks in Athens on Friday 4 April might address the possibility of extending new sanctions if Russia does not come to the negotiating table.
Austria's Sebastien Kurz said this is not the time for stepping up sanctions. He said it would be a total mistake to increase the sanctions now because the situation remains tense but there are small positive measures, such as the OSCE mission and greater dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. He said these small steps were better than nothing.
Relations with Russia and reviewing aid to Ukraine
Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos said the problem now was to organise and promote a new framework for the EU's relations with Russia. Ashton said the EU had to think carefully about future relations with Russia and other partners in the east.
The situation in Ukraine was also to be discussed in detail. Timmermans said the ministers had discussed the options for helping Ukraine in this very difficult phase. Steinmeier said that the bloodshed in the streets had ended, but difficult months or years would now follow for Ukraine and the question was knowing how the EU can help restore stability to the country.
In Athens, the ministers discussed aid for Ukraine, through the Association Agreement, during the 25 May presidential elections and the IMF loan (to which an EU loan would be added). The day before, Ashton said that that EU had to be able to start implementing its €1.6 billion aid package later this month with significant disbursements, where possible ahead of the presidential elections (see EUROPE 11048 and 110142). (CG)