As a first step, the EU has halted G8 summit preparations and visa-free talks with Russia.
The European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, on Thursday warned that if Moscow does not manage a de-escalation of the situation in Ukraine, it will “seriously affect the relations between the EU and Russia.”
“If there is no de-escalation, the EU will decide on additional measures, such as visa restrictions, asset freezes and cancellation of the Russia-EU summit,” Rompuy said at a press conference as quoted by Interfax.
British Prime Minister David Cameron threatened that asset freezes and unspecified travel bans could be imposed on Russia “relatively quickly,” unless progress is made on dialogue with Ukraine.
French President Francois Hollande said that further economic measures against Russia are also possible.
According to Cameron, those would be step-three in the sanctions and could carry “far-reaching consequences including in a broad range of economic areas.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said there was “no enthusiasm” in Europe for sanctions on Russia but the move was “inevitable.”
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel also blasted the referendum on joining the Russian Federation announced by Crimea’s parliament on Thursday as “illegal and incompatible with Ukraine’s constitution.”
Following an emergency meeting of European leaders in Brussels, Merkel said they “condemn the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty with regard to Crimea,” and “consider its territorial integrity to be essential.”
- The EU leaders urged the immediate withdrawal of what they believe are Russian troops blocking military installations in Crimea. All troops not part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces must lay down their weapons, Merkel said.
6/3/14
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EU halts Russia visa talks, threatens wide economic sanctions...
ReplyDeleteThe European Union has decided to suspend talks with Russia on a proposal for a looser visa regime and on a planned new basic agreement with Russia, European Union Council President Herman Van Rompuy told a news conference in Brussels on Thursday.
Van Rompuy also said the EU supports decisions by individual countries to suspend preparations for a planned G8 summit in Sochi in June.
Moreover, the EU considers Crimea's planned referendum on March 16 on the status of the Ukrainian region unconstitutional, he said.
He also said the EU resolutely condemned what he called Russia's unprovoked violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
US imposes visa restrictions on Russians who 'threaten Ukraine security'
Voice of Russia, AFP, Interfax
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_06/EU-halts-Russia-visa-talks-threatens-wide-economic-sanctions-9333/
6/3/14