“Keeping the channel for dialogue open right to the last minute”. That is one of the objectives described as a priority by Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini in her report to the Senate and Chamber Foreign Affairs Committees on yesterday’s EU Council on Ukraine. It’s the road to follow “to push the two capitals, Moscow and Kiev, to open a direct channel for dialogue – something that is very complicated but not impossible, and which could lead to a solution”. As Minister Mogherini underscored, “it’s the road that could avoid new cold-war scenarios that could set us back decades” .
Mogherini-Lavrov talks in Paris
“I’ve spoken to Russian Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov and will be meeting him tomorrow in Paris”, Minister Mogherini told the Committees. The meeting will take place during the meeting of the support group for Lebanon. “Europe must support the people and the new government of Kiev, committing it to respect the agreements signed before the situation deteriorated, to respect minorities and avoid falling into the temptation of over-reacting”. She reiterated the need for Kiev to “refrain from raising its voice and to embark not just on economic reforms but on the institutional reforms that can give the new government full democratic legitimacy”.
Financial support
“Financial support is another element of assistance for Ukraine’s population”, added the Minister. “The situation will be critical in coming weeks. It’s clear that the country is bordering on default, and this calls for us to assume our responsibilities – the margins of which have still to be defined”.
This was Minister Mogherini’s first hearing in Parliament in her role as Minister.
