Brussels, 26/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - The EU heads of state and government, who are meeting at an informal dinner on Tuesday to focus on the interpretation of the European elections, will also speak about the situation in Ukraine following the presidential elections there on 25 May (see other article). Violence continues in the East of Ukraine.
At the time of the dinner, the EU heads of states and government could publish a statement. “Our leaders will make an assessment and we will see if there is reason to step up the sanctions”, a European source stated before the elections were held. “If there is further escalation [in tension], it cannot be ruled out that a few leaders may call for further measures”, another source added.
The 28 heads of state and government could discuss possible additional measures against the people acting to destabilise Ukraine. According to a European source, possible further measures could focus more on new people and entities listed (phase 2) than on moving to phase 3 measures - which paves the way for economic sanctions. There is no consensus among the member states on moving to this new phase. “We are ready to pay the price [of phase 3] but we are not ready to pay more than Russia itself”, said a national source. (CG)