EU officials looking for exit from Ukraine crisis

European Union (EU) foreign ministers are deploring what they say is more Russian interference in Ukraine, but hoping an end to the crisis can still be peacefully negotiated.

The 28 ministers, meeting yesterday in Luxembourg, could add more names to a list of Russian officials whose assets in EU member nations have been frozen.

A dramatic ratcheting up of the trade bloc’s sanctions against Russia, however, is not expected. British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday called on Russia to unequivocally condemn the occupation of government buildings in eastern Ukraine. The two leaders spoke by phone yesterday to discuss escalating tensions in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was watching the situation in Ukraine closely amid calls by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine for Mr Putin to help defend them against government forces.

“The President is watching the developments in eastern Ukraine with great concern,” said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Meanwhile, China yesterday expressed its wishes that Thursday’s multilateral talks will be a success, Xinhua reported.

“We have noticed that Russia, the United States, the EU and Ukraine are preparing for talks in the near future, which is in tune with the China-proposed direction. We wish it a success,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. AGENCIES