Brussels, 12/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 12 September, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said in Kiev that the ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine is not enough to guarantee sustainable peace. “The ceasefire (…) is certainly a positive step which needs to be upheld and respected. However it is still insufficient to guarantee sustainable peace”, he said during a press conference with Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko. Barroso stated that the situation was “very fragile”, and said that among other issues he had talked to Poroshenko about the best way to make progress towards a sustainable political solution to the conflict.
Barroso again called on Russia to show its support for peace and to act in conformity with international principles. He described Russia's behaviour as “unacceptable”. “While we are committed to reach out and seek negotiated solutions, we also do not hesitate in responding decisively to Russia's unacceptable behaviour”, he said. New European sanctions entered into force on 12 September (see other article). Barroso also underlined that the relations between the EU and Russia would undergo “irreversible” damage if the Ukraine issue was not solved according to international principles, and in respect for Ukraine's sovereignty.
Earlier in the day, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle, who was also in Ukraine, encouraged Kiev not to lose contact with the people of Eastern Ukraine, “many of whom are fearful and anxious to know what is happening”. “In some cases, friends and families are divided because they feel under pressure to have to choose between the two parties to the conflict. They need you to understand their suffering and to have the assurance that there is no need to make such a choice”, he said (our translation). The conflict in Eastern Ukraine has already claimed over 2,600 victims and, according to Barroso, 9% of the Ukrainian population is living in a conflict area. (CG)