WSJ: In a statement following attacks on residential areas in the - TopicsExpress



          

WSJ: In a statement following attacks on residential areas in the city of Mariupol, the EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called on Russia to use its “considerable influence” with the rebels and stem its support for pro-Moscow separatists. “This further escalation of the open armed conflict has tragic consequences for a population greatly suffering already for far too long. It would inevitably lead to a further grave deterioration of relations between the EU and Russia,” Ms. Mogherini said. Earlier Saturday, rebels shelled the Ukrainian stronghold of Mariupol, killing at least 30 civilians and marking a potentially dangerous escalation in the fighting in eastern Ukraine. Russia denies western accusations that it is giving financial, political and material support to the rebels who have been battling Ukrainian armed forces. The Kremlin also denied Kiev’s assertion that it has thousands of troops on its neighbor’s territory. Ms. Mogherini’s warning on Saturday marks a substantial sharpening in approach by Brussels toward Russia. On Monday, Ms. Mogherini led a debate among foreign ministers looking at how to soften tension with Russia over time and exploring conditions under which EU sanctions could be wound back. After circulating a paper looking at the issue of improved ties last week, Ms. Mogherini has been forced to defend her approach to the Ukraine conflict, insisting in the European Parliament that she wasn’t soft on Russia.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 05:12:21 +0000

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