In light of the recent resurgence of violence in eastern Ukraine, the Foreign Ministers expressed their profound concern over the humanitarian situation, particularly in the town of Avdiivka. Linkevičius stressed that the current intensity of military actions could be compared to the situation on the front line in 2014.
“This is not the first time we observe an improvement in the security situation immediately before important international meetings, but the turning point that supports conflict resolution has not been reached so far,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, stressing the importance of a message on a strong and united support system for Ukraine.
The meeting also discussed Ukraine’s reform progress, highlighted the need for a continuation and demonstration of concrete results of newly adopted laws and activities of established institutions. The Foreign Ministers agreed that the EU must continue to help Ukraine in implementing reforms. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister drew attention to the need to maintain the motivation of ordinary people of Ukraine to implement reforms through the provision of the visa-free regime and the completion of the Association Agreement’s ratification. Linkevičius also called for a full use of all available EU instruments to provide support to Ukraine, and for an establishment of the EU Advisory Mission Ukraine’s regional offices in Odessa and Dnipro.
An informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland and Sweden with the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush took place on the eve of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and the EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn also attended the informal meeting, which focused on the situation in eastern Ukraine and the reform process. Linkevičius stressed that the current relationship with Russia and corruption were the two major challenges facing Ukraine.
