BRUSSELS
Foreign ministers of the European Union member states met in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the issue of imposing sanctions on Ukraine where violence has escalated on Thursday, despite Wednesday’s ‘truce’.
Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said that those responsible for the violence must know that they are going to be punished by the EU.
Timmermans said that both sides are responsible for the recent acts of violence, including the government forces and radical opposition members. We have a joint responsibility with the Russians for stability on the continent, he said.
Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders expressed his hope of working together with Russia. Otherwise, the crisis in Ukraine could deepen further, he warned.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that their most urgent goal is to end the ongoing violence in Ukraine, and the international community must give a strong response to the recent events in Kiev.
Any sanctions that might be imposed on Ukraine should not prevent peaceful resolution efforts, he said.
On Wednesday, European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso called for 'targeted measures against those responsible for violence' and said 'use of excessive force can be agreed by our Member States as a matter of urgency'.
"We continue to believe that constitutional reform, formation of a new inclusive government and creating conditions for democratic elections constitute the only way-out of this deep and long-lasting political crisis,” Barroso said.
He added: “We have made it clear we stand ready to support Ukraine on this road of reform, towards democracy, stability and prosperity."
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