Chancellor Angela Merkel is continuing all efforts to find a diplomatic approach to defusing the crisis in Ukraine, declared deputy government spokesperson Georg Streiter following another telephone conversation between the Chancellor and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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On Tuesday evening Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine in detail. Although they interpret ongoing events in different ways, "their conversation focused on looking forward," stated Georg Streiter in Berlin.
The telephone call concentrated on preparations for a meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine and the USA. The EU will be represented by Lady Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The four-way talks will be held on the Thursday before Easter in Geneva. The German government sees this conference as "a first step" towards a diplomatic solution, said the deputy government spokesperson. The Chancellor considers this to be "the essential element of this meeting".
The overriding goal is to "stabilise the situation in Ukraine and restore order" using political means. The result must "be accepted and supported by all stakeholders". "The Chancellor has no interest in any linguistic escalation," stated the spokesperson unequivocally. The German government does not need "any further drama".
In the view of the German government, the interim government in Kyiv has so far responded "with great circumspection and discretion". Last weekend in Donetsk Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk sought "to enter into dialogue with those sections of the opposition groups that were willing to talk," underscored Georg Streiter. It is, however, quite clear that the Ukrainian government cannot indefinitely accept the violent occupation of police stations and other critical infrastructure by armed and violent groups, continued the deputy spokesperson.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sigmar Gabriel spoke earlier in much the same vein. Nobody wants to see economic sanctions, he reaffirmed. At the same time though there should be no doubt that in the European context, the German government is not afraid of responding clearly to any further escalation.
Both Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier were doing everything in their power to ensure that these sanctions do not become necessary. But, the people of Ukraine must be free to decide on the future course of their country without interference. If this is not guaranteed, the European Union will have to respond, said the minister.
EU financial assistance and sanctions
At the start of the week, the EU ministers of foreign affairs decided at their meeting in Luxembourg to approve one billion euros of additional financial assistance for Ukraine. In addition, almost all customs duties are to be waived on Ukrainian goods. In view of the recent events, the EU is now also stepping up sanctions against Russia: the list of individuals affected by travel bans and asset freezes is to be extended.