The talks will be held this Thursday in Geneva. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Sigmar Gabriel underscored the fact that the German government expects Russia to use these talks to make "serious steps forward and high-profile, public steps to de-escalate the situation".

High time Russia distanced itself publicly

The minister described the situation in eastern Ukraine as "giving grounds for concern" at political and economic level. There are "numerous indications that Russia is very much involved in this escalation," said Sigmar Gabriel at a press conference. He thus called on Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the entire Russian government to "clearly and unequivocally distance themselves from the escalation of violence in eastern Ukraine".

Europe ready to impose sanctions

Nobody wants to see economic sanctions, reaffirmed the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs. At the same time though there should be no doubt that in the European context, the German government is not afraid of responding firmly 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.

However, if Russia is not willing "to ensure an end to the escalation at last" it will have to "realise that Europe, and Germany, are willing to move to the third stage of sanctions," stated Sigmar Gabriel clearly. Representatives of the German business community fully agree with the government on this point.

It is also clear that the European Union and the transatlantic alliance are "more than just a regime for regulating net property, more than just an economic alliance of convenience. We stand up for principles which we believe to be universal," underscored Sigmar Gabriel. These include respect for international law, the integrity of national borders and the monopoly over the use of force held by a democratic state.

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.

EU approves financial assistance and sanctions
On Monday the EU foreign ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, approved additional financial assistance for Ukraine totalling one billion euros. Almost all customs duties on Ukrainian goods are also to be waived. In view of the most recent events, the EU will step up sanctions against Russia: the list of individuals affected by travel bans and asset freezes is to be extended.