Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini spoke at length on the telephone today with American Secretary of State John Kerry about the crisis in Ukraine, following the G7 leaders’ phone conversation. Mogherini and Kerry both expressed extreme concern over the news coming out of Ukraine. “The growing tension and violence in the south-east of the country is moving in the opposite direction to that set out in the agreement signed in Geneva on 17 April”, declared Mogherini.
“We need to use the window opened by those agreements to reach a solution to the crisis. Most notably, we expect Moscow to work to implement the accords and play a part in the de-escalation that is the primary interest not just of Ukraine but on the entire region and the entire international community. The platform signed up to in Geneva must remain the framework. Just as the operational plan for the OSCE mission must be guaranteed, and the presidential elections scheduled for 25 May must be held with due respect for the rules”, explained the Minister.
“Given the deterioration in the situation, we cannot rule out European Union discussions on new sanctions. Sanctions which Italy is ready to support, as long as they remain within the scope of “Stage 2”, i.e. targeted sanctions. Dialogue remains the necessary framework of reference. But if, instead of seeing advances that show a real intention to implement the agreements we are actually seeing the situation deteriorate day after day, then a clear reaction is needed – a reaction that must be shared and agreed”, underscored Minister Mogherini.
Mogherini and Kerry, who also exchanged views on the situation in Syria and the Middle East peace process, will speak again in the next few days, given the need for all steps to be decided in close coordination, as has happened thus far.
