Brussels, 05/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 3 May, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called on all the parties involved to exercise the greatest restraint in Ukraine and not to use the “tragic loss” in Odessa, with the death of around 30 people, “to fuel the hatred, division and senseless violence still further”. “This should be a moment of reflection for everyone and an occasion for Ukrainians to come together and to find ways to overcome the artificially fuelled divisions over the last months”, Ashton stated. She added that all the political forces must “now assume their responsibility and engage in a peaceful and inclusive dialogue to find a joint way out of the crisis”. On 5 May, the violence continued and several people reportedly died near Slaviansk. In the view of France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, “this is not yet a civil war, but we are not far from it”.
EU calls for investigation into Odessa and welcomes release of observers. Ashton also called for an “independent” investigation into “the facts which led to the tragic loss of so many human lives” in the fire in a building following the clashes in Odessa, and she called for “those responsible for these criminal acts to be brought to justice”.
Ashton also welcomed for the release of the seven OSCE observers and those accompanying them from Ukraine. They had been detained in Slaviansk since 25 April. “We are grateful to all those who have contributed to this positive development. This should now be followed by the release of all other hostages held by illegally armed groups in east Ukraine”, she stated.
France says nothing must prevent the elections being held. France's President François Hollande said on 5 May that “nothing [must] hinder” the presidential election on 25 May. “The elections must be held in the whole of Ukraine”, he said. In Hollande's view, the Russian authorities, “including President Vladimir Putin” must be convinced “that the only way possible” is “dialogue and then de-escalation”. “If the elections do not take place (…) we will move on to stage 3 of the sanctions”, Fabius warned. On Friday 2 May, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Barack Obama threatened Russia with new sanctions if the situation became worse. (CG)