EU leaders urged to take "appropriate measures" against Russia

The leaders of the countries of the European Union called for the adoption of "appropriate measures" against Russia, expressing outrage at the rocket attack on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, which led to civilian casualties.

“In view of the deterioration of the situation, we urge the participants of the upcoming meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council to assess the state of affairs and consider any appropriate measures, especially restrictive measures, that would be aimed at the rapid and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk agreements,” the non-traditional joint statement reads. 28 Heads of State and Government of EU Member States.

The foreign ministers of the European Union countries that are members of the Foreign Affairs Council will consider the possibility of adopting new sanctions against Moscow at their meeting on Thursday.

According to the testimony of the Ukrainian authorities, as a result of a missile strike over the weekend, about 30 civilians were killed in Mariupol, and many others were injured.

In a joint statement, EU leaders stressed that they were condemning the missile attack, and expressed concern about the “deteriorating situation” in eastern Ukraine.

“We note that there is evidence of continued and growing separatist support from Russia, which underlines Russia's responsibility for what is happening,” the EU leaders stressed.

They called on Moscow to condemn the separatists operating in the east of Ukraine, and to implement the Minsk agreements.

The heads of state and government of the EU countries intend to consider and approve the recommendations of their ministers regarding Russia at their summit, which is scheduled in Brussels on February 12, writes Voice of America.