Borrell: EU urges Russia to engage in meaningful dialogue and diplomacy, show restraint and de-escalate

The EU calls on Russia to de-escalate by substantially withdrawing military forces from the immediate vicinity of Ukraine’s borders, as Russia’s massive military build-up in and around Ukraine remains a major EU concern.

A declaration by High Representative Josep Borrell on behalf of the EU, released on 19 February, said the escalation was compounded by the increase in ceasefire violations along the line of contact in eastern Ukraine in recent days. 

“The EU condemns the use of heavy weaponry and indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, which constitute a clear violation of the Minsk agreements and international humanitarian law. We commend Ukraine’s posture of restraint in the face of continued provocations and efforts at destabilisation,” said Borrell. 

He added that the EU was extremely concerned that staged events could be used as a pretext for possible military escalation: “The EU sees no grounds for allegations coming from the non-governmental controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of a possible Ukrainian attack. The EU urges Russia to engage in meaningful dialogue, diplomacy, show restraint and de-escalate.” 

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