Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2015
201. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the conflict in the Ukraine will be discussed at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council; his position regarding the current sanctions imposed on Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2014/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conflict in Ukraine is not formally on the agenda of the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 19 January. However, Ministers will have a comprehensive discussion on the EU’s relationship with Russia and it is likely that the situation in eastern Ukraine will be raised in the context of this debate.
The crisis in Ukraine and its impact on relations with Russia remains a major foreign policy challenge for the EU. Following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in March and clear evidence of its ongoing direct involvement in the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine, the response of the EU has been graduated.
A three-phase approach was agreed by EU leaders at the March European Council, beginning with the suspension of talks on a proposed new EU-Russia agreement and on visa liberalization (Phase 1), moving to asset freezes and visa bans (Phase 2) and culminating at the end of July with a move to targeted sectoral sanctions (Phase 3). The latter measures were further strengthened in early September following a serious deterioration of the situation on the ground in eastern Ukraine.
The sanctions were imposed in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and with the clear aim of encouraging a change in its behaviour towards its neighbour. They are designed to be flexible and can be intensified or lessened depending on developments on the ground in Ukraine.
The ceasefire agreements signed in Minsk last September provide the basis for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. It is crucial, therefore, that all sides, including the Russian Federation, follow through on the commitments that they signed up to under these accords. The lack of progress on key elements of the agreements in the intervening period is deeply disappointing. Serious violations of the ceasefire in certain parts of eastern Ukraine occur on an almost daily basis and the current situation remains very fragile.
I remain of the view that the restrictive measures against Russia, coupled with open dialogue and continued political and economic engagement with the various sides involved in the conflict, offer the best way of creating the conditions for a breakthrough.
