You're reading: Russian actions can lead to sanctions and far reaching consequences

The Council of the European Union has threatened to apply economic sanctions with far reaching consequences for bilateral relations if Moscow takes further steps to destabilize the situation in Ukraine, read the conclusions of the Council of the European Union approved by EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg on April 14.

“The council notes that any further steps by the Russian Federation
to destabilize the situation in Ukraine would lead to additional and far
reaching consequences for relations in a broad range of economic areas
between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and
the Russian Federation, on the other hand,” reads the document.

In this respect, the council noted that the preparatory work by the
Commission and Member States is underway on possible targeted measures,
as requested by the European Council in March “so that further steps can
be taken should events require.”

Moreover, the EU once again stated that it “reiterates its strong
condemnation of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol to the
Russian Federation and will not recognize it. In view of this the EU
welcomes the adoption of the resolution of the United Nations General
Assembly No. 68/262.

Besides, the council said it looks forward to the commission’s
evaluation of the legal consequences of the annexation of Crimea and to
the related proposals for economic, trade and financial restrictions
regarding Crimea.

According to the document, EU reiterates the importance of Russia’s
and Ukraine’s engagement in a meaningful dialogue, including through the
establishment of a “multilateral mechanism, with a view to finding a
political solution, based on full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity, including the right of Ukraine to decide on its
own constitution and political future.”

“The European Union is ready to participate in such an international
mechanism. In this context, the council welcomes the forthcoming meeting
with the participation of the High Representative and Foreign Ministers
of Ukraine, Russia and the United States, as a possible start of a
substantial de-escalation process,” the provisions of the EU Council
over Ukraine said.