Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016
66. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the violence in eastern Ukraine during the summer and the Russian-backed offensive in Aleppo were discussed at the October EU council; and the actions that were taken in relation to sanctions. [31635/16]
View answerAt last week's European Council meeting, EU leaders held a long debate on relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation. The intended focus of the discussion was on the broad set of issues that define the relationship. However, given the timing of the discussion, it was inevitable that Russia's actions in Syria and Ukraine dominated the exchanges.
On Ukraine, Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande briefed the Council on the outcome of their Normandy format meeting with President Putin and President Poroshenko the previous evening in Berlin. The summit meeting came at a time of growing concern over the fragile security situation in eastern Ukraine and slow progress on implementation of the Minsk peace agreements.
The Foreign Ministers of the four countries were tasked with developing a roadmap before the end of November which will address all aspects of the Minsk accords, including security, humanitarian and political issues, as well as the holding of elections in eastern Ukraine, under the supervision of the OSCE.
EU leaders expressed support for this latest initiative aimed at breaking the current deadlock. They also called for the rapid implementation of the disengagement plan along the contact line as a means to secure the shaky ceasefire and reiterated that the Minsk agreements remain the framework for resolving the conflict.
The current sanctions which the EU imposed against Russia for its actions in Ukraine run until 31 January 2017. It is expected that EU leaders will consider extending the duration of these measures at their December meeting. As with previous rollovers, developments on the ground in eastern Ukraine will be the key factor in determining what decision is taken.
On Syria, the European Council strongly condemned the ongoing aerial attacks on Aleppo by the Syrian regime and Russia and urged both states to bring an immediate end to the atrocities being committed. They repeated calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and stressed that all necessary steps be taken to ensure humanitarian access to Syria.
The need to ensure that those who have committed atrocities and breached humanitarian law are held to account was also highlighted.
The question of sanctions in response to Russian and Syrian actions in Aleppo was also discussed. It was agreed that the EU would consider all available options should the atrocities against the people of Aleppo continue.
