Ukraine: EU Foreign Ministers condemn violation of sovereignty and call for peaceful solution
Yesterday, EU ministers for foreign affairs gathered in Brussels for an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Ukraine convened and chaired by HRVP Ashton.
The Council condemned "the clear violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity by acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces as well as the authorisation given by the Federation Council of Russia on 1 March for the use of the Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine." Following the meeting, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said: "I call on all sides to decrease the tensions immediately through dialogue, in full respect of Ukrainian and international law."
EU ministers also stated that "the EU is ready to further pursue its efforts with the international community and international financial institutions, especially the IMF, to assist Ukraine."
HRVP Catherine Ashton will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Madrid today.
An extraordinary meeting of EU Heads of State or Government will be held on 6 March 2014 to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and how to facilitate the de-escalation of the situation.
Foreign Affairs Council: Summary, Conclusions and Press Material (3 March 2014)
Extraordinary European Council on Ukraine convened