The European Council has agreed to impose new sanctions on Russia. It is regrettable that such substantial measures have to be taken said Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brussels. Russia has not met expectations.
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Over the last weeks "a great many intensive efforts" have been undertaken in an effort to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, explained the Chancellor after the meeting. "I have to say that the French President in particular has had very many telephone calls with both President Petro Poroshenko and with the Russian President, as I have had myself." Today we must note "that expectations have not been met, in any point really".
The Chancellor pointed out that apart from the staff of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), no hostages have been freed. There are still many more hostages being held. Also no mechanism has been found for securing the border. There have been days of negotiations to discuss whether a video conference can be held between the various parties involved with the Contact Group. "I must say that the Ukrainian side has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness. Perhaps there is now hope that the meeting can take place," said the Chancellor.
In terms of the decisions taken at the last European Council meeting, we are now forced to say that "the expectations the Ukrainian President had of a unilateral ceasefire have in no way been met".
In a telephone conversation with the Chancellor last Tuesday, the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko brought up reports that had reached him that heavy weaponry from Russia is still reaching separatists in Ukraine. Government spokesperson Steffen Seibert reported this in Berlin. There are more and more indications that attacks are being launched on Ukrainian forces from Russian territory.
The Chancellor reported that the EU intends to expand the list of entities targeted by sanctions to cover companies threatening or violating the sovereignty, the territorial integrity and the independence of Ukraine. Sanctions have so far targeted only individuals. A specific list is to be drawn up by the end of July. "We have also asked the Council to review the list of those individuals and entities providing material or financial support to the Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine."
Financial support from the European Union for Russia is to be restricted with respect to the European Neighbourhood Policy. Every new project within the framework of EU-Russian cooperation should be re-assessed to see if it should be suspended. "The only exceptions can be projects which genuinely benefit civil society groups," said Angela Merkel.
The third area relates to assistance for projects in Russia provided by the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. "We have asked them not to finance any new projects for Russia," said Angela Merkel.
The EU is disappointed and regrets having to take such substantial measures vis à vis Russia, said the Chancellor, but, "unfortunately too little has happened since the visit of President Petro Poroshenko and in response to the unilateral ceasefire announced by him".
Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Petro Poroshenko and President Barack Obama expressed their disappointment on Tuesday that there had still been no talks between the Contact Group and separatist representatives. Government spokesperson Steffen Seibert reported this on Wednesday.
The views of the Contact Group are shared, that the separatists apparently have no real will to enter into genuine talks leading to a ceasefire respected by both sides, said Steffen Seibert.