Russia-Ukraine crisis, at the center of the meeting of EU leaders

The gathering of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine is at the center of a meeting of 27 EU leaders, while the President of Ukraine has called for the imposition of more sanctions before a possible incursion and not after the border has been crossed.

Olaf Scholz, attended the meeting for the first time as Chancellor of Germany.

“We will reiterate here today that the inviolability of borders is one of the most important foundations of peace in Europe and that together we will do everything possible to keep this principle intact,” he said.

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said Russia should ease tensions and avoid any aggressive action against Ukraine.

“We, the EU member states, are all united in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and political integrity. “And any aggressive action will face higher political and economic costs,” he said.

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who holds the rotating EU presidency, said there was a possibility of negotiations between France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia. But like everyone else, he expressed concern.

“The military concentration, especially on the Ukrainian border with Russia, is massive. “It’s not normal for regular military exercises, so there is no doubt that Russia is using military force to exert pressure.”

Moscow denies having any plans to attack Ukraine, but did so earlier in 2014 when it annexed the Crimean Peninsula.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the threat of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine has created the worst security situation since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“I am talking not only about Ukraine, but I am talking about the eastern wing of NATO, the Baltic region. “I think we have to do everything in our power to prevent the worst-case scenario, which unfortunately we can not rule out.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that Ukraine is ready to enter into talks with Russia to ease tensions, but that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not seem ready to sit at the table at the moment./VOA