This week the heads of state and government of the EU states are to decide on additional sanctions on Russia. "A violation of international law must have consequences," stressed Chancellor Angela Merkel in a government statement in the German Bundestag.
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It is becoming clear that, from the outset, this has not been an inner Ukrainian conflict, but a clash between Russia and Ukraine, said Chancellor Angela Merkel.
We have repeatedly made it plain that we cannot simply stand and watch Russia’s actions, said the Chancellor in the Bundestag. The sanctions have been agreed with an overwhelming consensus between the EU and the USA. A violation of international law must have consequences. That is why the heads of state and government of the EU have asked the European Commission to prepare additional substantial steps in view of the latest escalation of the situation in Ukraine.
The Chancellor reaffirmed that the conflict cannot be resolved using military means. All EU states agree on this point, and work will continue to achieve political solutions. The focus is on a swift ceasefire and on securing Ukraine’s borders, she added.
In the face of Russia’s actions, concern is growing in the Baltic states and Poland that they too could be acutely threatened. "We accept our commitments as NATO allies," stressed the Chancellor in her statement. At the coming NATO summit in Wales measures are to be adopted to further enhance NATOs capacity to respond and its defence capacity.
On Saturday the EU heads of state and government met for a special meeting in Brussels. As well as appointments to the top EU posts, they discussed the current situation in Ukraine. Ultimately they asked the European Commission to draw up proposals for new sanctions on Russia within a week.
Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko was a guest at the European Council meeting. He reported that there is a flow of weapons and combatants from Russia to Ukraine, said the Chancellor following the talks. It must then be seen that there is an escalation.
In the meanwhile the Bundeswehr is to fly up to 20 injured Ukrainian soldiers to Germany. The injured troops will be treated in a number of different German military hospitals. Chancellor Angela Merkel promised President Poroshenko this support during her visit to Kyiv.