Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba took part in an online meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council at the invitation of the EU High Representative Josep Borrell, where he joined the Foreign Ministers of the European Union Member States.

The Minister informed the participants about Russia's aggravation of the security situation in the zone of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict as well as along the Ukrainian state border, he outlined the threats posed by Russia's current actions for Ukrainian and European security.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister proposed a step-by-step action plan to deter Moscow from further escalation, a key element of which is the development of a new package of sectoral sanctions that should be implemented immediately in the event of a new phase of Russian aggression.

"We are grateful to the EU for all the steps that have been taken since 2014 towards raising the price for Russia for its aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, at this stage, personal sanctions are no longer enough. It is necessary to hold an internal discussion in the EU now on development of a new package of sectoral sanctions, which can be immediately introduced in case of a new stage of aggression by Russia," - said the Minister.

The EU and all Member States have stated that they remain united in their unwavering support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and are ready to further strengthen their support for our state and to exert consistent pressure on Russia.

The European Union praised Ukraine's efforts to reach a political and diplomatic settlement based on the Minsk arrangements, and Kyiv's balanced and wise response to Russia's attempts to provoke an escalation.

The participants also discussed the illegal actions of the Russian Federation in the Azov-Black Sea area, the militarization of the temporarily occupied Crimea and the surrounding seas. Dmytro Kuleba discussed with his EU colleagues possible ways to respond to violations of the international maritime law in the context of Russia's closure of the Kerch Strait and its blockade of the Sea of Azov.

The Minister confirmed the invitation to all EU Member States to take part in the inaugural Summit and further work of the Crimea Platform.

The participants of the meeting paid special attention to further internal transformations in Ukraine aimed at bringing our state closer to the EU membership. Dmytro Kuleba noted the importance of giving a clear prospect of EU membership for Ukraine. According to him, the aggressive policy of the Russian Federation against Ukraine will finally come to an end when Moscow realizes that Ukraine is an integral part of the Western democratic world.