Ukraine: EU must unite moderates on both sides to prevent crush down Sanctions must be prepared - Main contents
Returning from a European Parliamentary delegation mission to Kiev this week, Hans van Baalen (VVD, Netherlands) was both impressed by the determination of the protesters on Maidan Square to fight for their rights for a better future as well as the need for a new Constitution to be adopted and fresh elections to be held.
“The EU has a key role to play as mediator between the moderates on the side of the government and the parliamentary opposition in ensuring that a new constitution is adopted and fresh elections are held as soon as possible” says van Baalen.
“Targeted sanctions against individuals in the regime may be necessary if there is an unwillingness to engage in meaningful constitutional change and respect for democratic freedoms, but hopefully sense will prevail with the help of mediation.
EU foreign ministers should prepare options but hold back for the time being from imposing any sanctions whilst there is still hope of a peaceful negotiated solution. The EU should act as one, because this prevents that some EU member states will be put under economic and political pressure from Russia ”
“Yanukovich should know that he cannot get away with crushing the protests. That’s where the red line is drawn. That’s the clear message the EU should send,'' said Van Baalen. “The authorities understand that sanctions would ramp up the pressure very quickly.”
Hans van Baalen MEP on Maidan square with opposition leader