Foreign ministers from the European Union are discussing expanding sanctions against Russia, as clashes between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian military continued in eastern Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters before the meeting on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that ministers would be discussing “relations with Russia and the dialogue with Russia to get to a solution of the crisis."
The European Union would also start a mission to assist the Ukrainian authorities "on restructuring the civilian security of the country," continued Mogherini.
The discussion of fresh sanctions comes as German chancellor Angela Merkel said that Russia "will not prevail," on Monday.
Speaking after attending the G20 summit in Brisbane, where she held discussions with Russia's president Vladmir Putin, Merkel said Russia's annexation of Crimea in March "called the whole of the European peaceful order into question, and it has continued by Russia exporting its influence to destabilise eastern Ukraine."
"Old thinking, thinking in terms of theories of influence, where international law is violated, this must not be allowed to prevail. I'm convinced it will not prevail," added Merkel.
In an interview to the Associated Press, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin backed an expansion of sanctions against Russia, saying,
Speaking to reporters before the meeting on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that ministers would be discussing “relations with Russia and the dialogue with Russia to get to a solution of the crisis."
The European Union would also start a mission to assist the Ukrainian authorities "on restructuring the civilian security of the country," continued Mogherini.
The discussion of fresh sanctions comes as German chancellor Angela Merkel said that Russia "will not prevail," on Monday.
Speaking after attending the G20 summit in Brisbane, where she held discussions with Russia's president Vladmir Putin, Merkel said Russia's annexation of Crimea in March "called the whole of the European peaceful order into question, and it has continued by Russia exporting its influence to destabilise eastern Ukraine."
"Old thinking, thinking in terms of theories of influence, where international law is violated, this must not be allowed to prevail. I'm convinced it will not prevail," added Merkel.
In an interview to the Associated Press, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin backed an expansion of sanctions against Russia, saying,
"Now it is time to have a clear message to Moscow that further destabilisation in Ukraine will trigger further steps by the EU."Meanwhile clashes continued between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian military, with at least 6 soldiers and 3 policeman killed in a series of incidents over the last 24 hours, according to Ukrainian officials.
"We need a very clear message identifying the further steps the EU is ready and committed to take if the situation on the ground deteriorates."