KYIV - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko spoke in Berlin and Brussels of the need to establish "red lines," the crossing of which would lead to "a continuation and tightening of the sanctions" against Russia.
“Terrorist leaders announced that they are going to organize an offensive to occupy the entire territory of the Donbas Region and seize Mariupol and Sloviansk. We must send a clear signal that a resumption of offensive operations by the Russian Federation will instantly result in tougher sanctions,” Poroshenko said at his meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius.
“The position of principled importance today is that of the European Union’s continued unity and solidarity with Ukraine and Lithuania’s role in this is extremely important,” he said.
For his part, the Lithuanian Premier confirmed that his country “condemns Russia’s illegal actions against Ukraine” and will never recognize Crimea as Russia’s.
Butkevicius also expressed support for Ukraine’s constitutional reform: “I want to congratulate your political will in conducting the decentralization and consistent implementation of the provisions of the Minsk agreements.”
